On Tuesday, July 22nd, 2025, Matt Carter, the Director of the Charlotte Street Art Centre (CSAC), found a hole burned in the floor of the gazebo in the Art Centre’s backyard. Carter explained that the damage was caused by a small fire contained in a can that had gotten too hot and ignited the floor. The damage prompted internal discussions at CSAC about how to prevent further damages, with suggestions including cutting back vegetation that obscures the gazebo and putting up signs to encourage visitors to respect the space. The damage to CSAC’s gazebo is an example of the 65% increase in outdoor fires Fredericton has seen over the past four years. After announcing the damage on CSAC’s social media, Brooke Batchelor, a community member and carpenter, offered to help repair the gazebo for free. Batchlor explained that she wanted to donate her time to CSAC because of its inviting atmosphere, noting that spaces like CSAC can easily go away without community involvement.
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