The Aspen Links Country Club in Emerald Park, 15 kilometres east of Regina, was engulfed in flames for two hours today. Now, only burnt wood and ashes remain from the 16,000 square foot clubhouse.
Fire crews from White City and Balgonie were called at 2pm. Three of the firefighters sustained minor injuries from the fumes. No one else was injured.
Sgt. Pete Garvey said less than a dozen nearby houses were also evacuated.
“For safety sake, we did evacuate a few homes and let them know there were a few issues and had them leave to a safer area,” he said.
After the flames had been extinguished, crews dug underground to shut off the natural gas line that was causing concern.
“Unfortunately natural gas is very flammable and if it gets in the wind and the wind shifts, we could have problems out on the roadways,” said Garvey.
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Residents watched in shock as their town took a sad loss.
“The entire community is revolved around the golf course so I hope that they rebuild and carry on, it’s sad,” said Claudia Cooper, who lives in the town.
“It must be devastating to the owner. There was no loss of life so that’s the main thing,” said Terry Mohr.
The Aspen Link Country Club was built using recycled bridge timbers.
Bruce Evans managed the clubhouse from 1999 to 2004.
He said the materials made the structure unique but also more flammable.
How much of a role that played in the building’s demise, if any at all, has yet to be determined.
Police are not sure what caused the fire but it is under investigation
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