A large sinkhole caused by an collapsed underground mine destroyed a large section of the Gordon F. Moore soccer park at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday.
Nobody was injured, said Michael Haynes, director of Alton Parks and Recreation.
“The mine underground experienced a collapse,” Haynes said. “It affected the surface and everything collapsed from the surface down.”
The hole is estimated to be 50 feet deep and 100 feet wide. Swaths of the torn, artificial surface draped the edges of the crater that was left behind.
The mine belongs to New Frontier Materials in St. Louis. The corporate office could not be reached and a representative at the company’s Alton office, New Frontier Materials – Bluff City Stone, said it is not releasing a statement at this time.
Haynes said he has never seen anything like this happen in the area. The mining company hasn’t, either, he added.
In the meantime, the park remains closed through Wednesday evening, leaving scheduled baseball and softball games postponed. Spencer T. Olin Golf Course, also has been temporarily closed as the cause of the mine collapse is investigated.
Haynes said he doesn’t know how long it’ll take to repair.
“It’s so uncommon that I don’t have any idea … We just want to make sure that everything’s safe and go from there,” Haynes said.
Haynes said the Alton School District would “fill the void” left by the sinkhole to facilitate events, at least for the summer.
“We’d be thankful to anybody that steps up in the area to take over any of our activities that are getting postponed,” Haynes said.
Source Agencies
