The disturbance of asbestos in the Chippewa gymnasium was the focus of a letter home to parents yesterday (Monday).

Officials say the gym has been closed to staff, students and the community.

This after an area of Asbestos-Containing Material was disturbed around the elbow of a pipe in the high ceiling of the gym.

They say at no time was the health and safety of students or staff at risk.

Contractors are working to fix the issue and air quality testing will be done before the gym is used again.

Here is the full text of the message to parents:

I am writing to advise you of a disturbance of asbestos in the Chippewa gymnasium. It was recently identified that an encapsulated area of Asbestos-Containing Material was disturbed around the elbow of a pipe in the high ceiling of the gymnasium. At no time was the health and safety of students or staff at risk. The Board’s Health and Safety team has been working diligently with contractors, beginning Friday and throughout the weekend, to remedy the matter. As a result of on-going efforts to encapsulate the areas of piping that contain asbestos and complete a full abatement process, the gymnasium has been closed to staff, students and the community. Air quality testing will be completed prior to continued use of the facilities.

The Near North District School Board takes the health and safety of our students and staff seriously and have specific policies and procedures in place to address any incidents involving asbestos.

(File photo)

Filed under: Chippewa Secondary School