Burst pipe prompted clean-up efforts at St. Catherine’s School

Posted on January 25, 2024 by Sunny South News

By Heather Cameron
Southern Alberta Newspapers
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

On January 15, two events caused havoc at St. Catherine’s School in Picture Butte.

“There were two water-related events that occurred at St. Catherine’s School,” said Vivien Kossuth, Holy Spirit Catholic School Division Plant Operations Coordinator. 

Kossuth says that the first event occurred around 12:15 p.m. when a fire sprinkler line in the School Administration Office burst because of the water freezing inside the pipe, and the second event occurred around 8 p.m. when a radiant ceiling panel water line burst in another room in the School Administration Office. 

“Our School Administration Team was in the office and immediately called for help from within the school, the Board Office, and the Fire Department, because the fire alarm sounded as a result of the fire sprinkler line bursting and the fire suppression system losing water pressure,” said Kossuth. “School staff immediately acted to prevent the water from spreading from the School Administration Office. They mostly wanted to protect the maple gym floor, which is nearby and across the Gathering Space. The Fire Department was ready with squeegees to help contain the water. The Board Office called Service Master Lethbridge to respond with vacuum extractors and drying fans, as well as Fire Safety Services, who repair fire sprinkler lines.”

Dan Vanden Dungen, Principal of St. Catherine’s School, says that the cleanup for both events only took a matter of hours. Kossuth says that dedicated staff of St. Catherine’s School and some of their family members who live close to the school, the Fire Department, Service Master Lethbridge, and Board Office staff were all involved in cleanup efforts. 

“In times where a helping hand is needed, strong school communities like St. Catherine’s totally shine,” said Kossuth. “This is not just a building, it’s a place that the community truly cares about.”

Vanden Dungen says that cleanup is still ongoing in some areas, like the main office, but the school itself was only closed for half the day on Monday, January 15 and all-day Tuesday, January 16, re-opening Wednesday, January 17. Currently, Vanden Dungen says, classes are back to normal, and the office has been moved to the drama/music room for the time being while repairs are being made.

“Both the school community and local community really pitched in to help save the school as well as help get classes back on schedule,” said Vanden Dungen. “Thank you to everyone that lent a hand, and we appreciate all of your hard work. Everyone went above and beyond.”