Tornado damage closes Cowan Park in Ayr with no reopening date set
Posted Aug 19, 2024 10:47:01 AM.
Last Updated Aug 19, 2024 02:09:59 PM.
A major park facility in Ayr was hit hard during the tornado on Saturday, with the full extent of damage being tallied up now.
An EF1 tornado touched down in Ayr around 11:00 a.m. with preliminary evidence from the Northern Tornadoes Project (NTP) showing a narrow path over 5 kilometres in length.
According to the organization the twister developed near Wolverton, Ont. and tracked east to Ayr. A done survey completed by NTP determined wind speeds reached 165 km/h.
A team was out Monday inspecting the damage at Cowan Park.
The roof of the concession stand and washrooms building was torn off, now replaced with temporary plywood and tarps.
Soccer nets were blown over and a large section of fence was damaged. Debris is scattered all around the soccer field. The playground area was heavily hit as well.
Christina Brox is the director of corporate services and treasurer for the Township of North Dumfries. She told 570 NewsRadio, the Cowan Park soccer field area is being inspected Monday by the township and its insurance company.
She said there is no timeline for reopening the park, but some portions of it might be able to open sooner than others.
It’s unknown at this time how much repairs might cost.
Brox said the Community Complex beside Cowan Park that reopened Monday did not appear to be damaged, but they are giving it a second look to be sure.
The township had already said it would release more information Tuesday about reopening the park.
