Photo/PAUL HUTCHINGS DOME RE-INFLATED: The dome is back up at the ACTS Fitness Centre in Mono after it collapsed on Feb. 10. Investigators have determined that a mechanical failure may have caused an over-inflation. Approximately 70 people were inside attending a U-14 soccer game when it happened. Investigators have determined the cause of a sports dome collapse in Mono Township to be a mechanical failure that induced over-inflation.

The inflatable dome at the ACTS Fitness Centre collapsed on Feb. 10 during a U- 14 soccer game with a reported attendance of about 70. No one was injured.

Facility manager Chris Emmons said the dome did not need to be replaced, just repaired, and that the repair crew is doing twice the work that is really necessary to put the general public's mind at ease.

He said currently they are replacing lighting fixtures broken in the collapse and doublestitching the paneling - inside and out - for a target date of about March 1 to be open to the public.

"The timeline depends on our investigation and what our legal department tells us, of course, but we are aiming for that weekend to be back up and running," he said.

"To put people's minds at ease we're doing what is called a double weld, so it's being repaired at both the inner and outer linings. People won't see a difference in the way it looks, but it will be much stronger.

The investigating team has not released any details on the cause of the deflation as of yet, but Mr. Emmons believes weather was a factor. High winds may have either caused the deflation or caused the dome to collapse faster.

Eyewitnesses have stated they heard a loud popping sound which they likened to a balloon popping just before the dome collapsed that Sunday afternoon. Reportedly it took approximately 20 seconds for the structure to flatten.

Some people received various cuts and bruises but no one was seriously injured, as everyone escaped

The various sports teams that were playing in the dome, including soccer and lacrosse teams, have been accommodated in the facility's gymnasiums with no interruption in service, Emmons added. The dome was built by Yeadon Air Supported Structures in Guelph, who are also conducting an investigation into the incident. At press time they had not returned phone calls.