A recreation centre at the former CFB Chatham air force base in Miramichi, N.B., has been closed until further notice due to concerns about exposed asbestos.

When Miramichi resident Marlene McLenaghan-Molnar, whose husband, Ladislav, practises archery in an adjoining room, heard about some deteriorating insulation at the rec centre, she became concerned.

In a storage room in the basement, the insulation around some pipes was broken, exposing a crumbly white substance.

McLenaghan-Molnar, who is also a Progressive Conservative nominee for her riding in the coming provincial election, sent a sample of the substance to a laboratory in Halifax.

The test results showed the sample contained 40 per cent asbestos, a once-popular insulation material that can cause lung cancer and other deadly ailments.

"What it has to do with is the health of our citizens. What it has to do with is taking care of our citizens, making sure that all are protected," McLenaghan-Molnar said.

The Golden Hawk Rec Centre on the former base, which closed in 1996, is now owned by the City of Miramichi. Until now, it has been used daily by children and seniors for activities such as swimming, archery and gymnastics.

Facility closed

Jeff MacTavish, a city spokesman, said the room that contained asbestos has been sealed and the facility is closed.

"We still have to do some investigating to determine if that material that was identified in that report is actually from this facility, but I have taken some photographs of the area," MacTavish said.

MacTavish said a contractor will wrap and cover the pipes to ensure the substance is contained.

"We certainly want to protect the citizens here. We wouldn't want to cause any harm," he said. "But I guess we'll do our investigation to determine, and then choose, the appropriate course of action."

He said the facility will reopen when officials decide it is safe.