Coronation School was the site of a dangerous gas line rupture on Sept. 18, 2024 at approximately 2 p.m. when the crew working on the new playground hit an active gas line as they were drilling a hole for one of the footings.
An evacuation notice was sent out on social media by the town. The students were moved to the community hall immediately and the volunteer crew working on the installation of the playground equipment was asked to leave the site. Coronation Volunteer Fire and Rescue was on the scene conducting a house by house operation in the affected area, about 15 town blocks, to inform the residents of the need to evacuate.
ATCO arrived at the site approximately 45 minutes later, bringing in a hydrovac required to assist with the mend of the ruptured line.
Blue Imp, a Canadian playground manufacturer, was working on the playground.
According to Meghan Thomson, Communications, Clearview Public Schools, they are unable to answer questions about who was responsible for the line locates that indicate the locations of any buried utilities and are required before any groundwork is initiated.
This is a requirement of the Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Code and the Alberta Pipeline Regulations Act.
“The situation is still being looked into so that Clearview can understand all that occurred,” stated Thomson.
The ‘all clear’ was given by the Town of Coronation at 4:50 p.m. and school resumed the following day.
Gas line hit causes evacuation in Coronation
Jackie Blakely
ECA Review
