DIDSBURY - Council has approved the purchase of a new ice plant condenser for the Didsbury Memorial Complex at a total cost of $400,000.
The move came by way of motion at the Jan. 14 regularly-scheduled council meeting, held in person and online.
The existing condenser at the facility was found to have failed and in need of replacement and was shut down Dec. 19, effectively ending the 2024-2025 arena and curling rink season that day.
The town is renting a temporary condenser for the remainder of the season, allowing the main ice rink to be reopened by Feb. 1; the curling rink and leisure ice will remain closed for the season.
The condenser was scheduled to be replaced in the 2027 budget prior to the failure.
During the Jan. 12 council meeting, Nicole Assen, director of community service, outlined two possible options to replace the ice condenser: an evaporative model at an estimated cost of $300,000 and an adiabatic model at an estimated cost of $400,000.
The evaporative model utilizes water as cooling source for its operation, she said.
“In order for an evaporative model to operate successfully, it requires significant water use, water treatment chemicals and dedicated water pumps, as well as consistent water and equipment maintenance,” she said.
The evaporative model has an estimated lifespan of 20-25 years.
“During an average operating season, a high-level estimate of water use is 600,000 gallons or 2,271 cubic metres, with a value of $14,761 per year and an average of $10,000 a year for chemical treatment.”
The adiabatic model utilizes air and an air humidification process.
“An adiabatic condenser only utilizes water as part of its operations during peak ambient conditions, likely in August and September, which would result in significant reduction in water consumption, water treatment chemicals, and the repairs and maintenance associated with that equipment,.”
The adiabatic model has an estimated lifespan of 20-25 years.
“During an average operating season, a high-level estimate of water use for this model is 144,000 gallons or 545 cubic metres with a value of $3,542 a year, and no water treatment chemical costs associated.”
Administration recommended that the town go with the adiabatic model.
“Based on the estimated cost savings of $24,761 per year with the adiabatic model, the $100,000 estimated price difference between the two models would be realized in just over four years.
“In addition to the savings, it would also have a positive environmental impact with an approximate 75 per cent reduction in water consumption for the ice plant.”
Council carried a motion to go with the adiabatic model option, with funding coming from the Didsbury Memorial Complex reserve fund.
Coun. John Baswick said, “This is an option that works for us.”
The town will also apply with Mountain View County for shared facility funding, which could see up to 32 per cent or $128,000 of the cost received, he said.
Temporary unit now in operation
Meanwhile, a temporary condenser has arrived at the Didsbury Memorial Complex and crews expect to start making ice at the facility’s main arena surface starting this week, director Aasen told council.
Council recently approved the rental of the temporary condenser at a cost of about $67,000.
The rental condenser will be used to make ice at the main arena ice surface, but not the leisure ice or curling rink due to power issues.
The rental unit is now in place and operating outside the memorial Complex, she said.
“It is working really well,” she said. “We will know Monday (Jan. 20) if it is as efficient as our ice plant operations were with how quickly the water will freeze once we begin the floods.”
The decision to use a rental condenser will allow the Mountainview Colts and other hockey teams to resume play at the Didsbury facility.
However, the leisure ices and curling rink ice at the complex will not be re-installed using the rental unit due to a lack power capacity.
Officials hope to have the main ice back in use by the end of the month.
During the Jan. 14 meeting, mayor Rhonda Hunter thanked community groups for their patience and understanding as work continues to re-open the main ice surface.
