EVENTS GO ON AS SCHEDULED AT ARENA HERE

The ceiling of the A.C. Brase Arena Building has been completely removed and regular events are now being held as scheduled, says Dan Muser, parks and recreation director.

Several events last month had to be rescheduled or moved when portions of the ceiling started falling. City officials have blamed wear and vibration for the damage.

City Manager J. Ronald Fischer said Monday that the remainder of the old drop ceiling has been removed and that lighting fixtures and ventilation equipment in the ceiling were undamaged.

Muser said that with the removal of the ceiling, the building now is safe to use for events.

"We're now in the process of deciding what we're going to do with it in terms of replacing the ceiling," he said.

"We'll probably put in some type of drop ceiling, but we want to get some idea of what would be best as far as cost and quality."

Muser said a new ceiling won't be installed "in the near future."

"Basically, the roof structure is wooden beams that are exposed," he said. "The lights are still there and operational, so we're able to hold our regular events again."

Fischer said the cost of removing the damaged ceiling about $4,000 was funded by the A.C. Brase Arena Foundation.