Ben Garbacz/Daily Mining Gazette An employee reported an ammonia smell at the Dee Stadium on Monday at 12:30 p.m. and police and firefighters kept civilians away from the building while the situation was assessed. The building has since returned to normal operations and repairs to the ammonia system are expected to be made in time for hockey events in October.

HOUGHTON — Dee Stadium had a leak in the ammonia system in the building’s compressor room on Monday afternoon. The building was evacuated and police and firefighters secured the area as the situation was assessed. The employee who reported the leak was overlooked by EMS and was determined to be fine.

The room with the leak is used to house the stadium’s ice plant used during the hockey season. The ammonia was vented outside of the building and Dee Stadium’s summertime operations and activities have returned to normal.

The technicians who were sent to inspect the ammonia system at 6:00 p.m. discovered the leak coming from the radiator system. According to City Manager Eric Waara, the system had under 50 gallons of ammonia in it, which he explained is a relatively small amount in comparison to a tanker truck or rail car.

“We were actually fortunate that this happened during the off-season and there is plenty of time to make the repairs before the ice plant is started up in the fall,” City Manager Eric Waara said.

The technicians are currently putting together a parts list for a proposal to repair the system, of which will likely require new gaskets. Waara said it is probably too early for a full estimate of costs, but guesses they will run above $10,000. Repairs are likely to occur in September and should be completed in time to not interfere with the facility’s hockey events in October.