On-ice Broncos memorial to come down at Humboldt rink

A ring of flowers lining centre ice at the Elgar Petersen Arena has become one of the enduring symbols of the grief felt after the Humboldt Broncos bus tragedy.

The memorial began in the days after the April 6 collision between the team’s bus and a semi truck left 16 people dead and 13 injured.

But with summer approaching, the City of Humboldt has to take the ice off the rink for the year.

A release informed people work to remove the ice will begin Friday morning.

Those wishing to pay their respects one last time can access the ice until 9 p.m. Thursday.

Items and signs left at the rink are to be put in storage while the ice is removed, and may be archived or put on display by the city.

There are plans for a permanent memorial to the victims of the tragedy.