Gatineau's sports centre on de la Gappe Boulevard is closed until at least Monday afternoon, as crews test for asbestos dust.
The presence of dust containing asbestos, which was found in the building's basement, was confirmed Thursday.
The City of Gatineau says "part of a fibre cement pipe containing a small proportion of chrysotile asbestos appeared to be in questionable condition" while workers were performing maintenance on the chlorination system. The room where the dust was found is not accessible to the public.
The centre was closed to the public shortly after the discovery. Testing is being done to see if there is any asbestos dust anywhere else in the building.
The City of Gatineau says the sports centre is closed until at least Monday at 4:00 p.m.
Anyone with classes or events planned at the centre before that time is asked to contact the City of Gatineau.
The City of Gatineau says in a statement, "It should be noted that this case does not concern insulation, but rather a sewer pipe containing a small proportion of chrysotile. The risk level is considered low in this particular case." Mayor Maxime Pednaud-Jobin says, “We will not take any risks, and will do everything we can to protect the health and safety of centre sportif users and staff."
The City will provide an update on Monday.