Brine pump failure at Innisfail Arena is repaired

Town says user groups have already returned for scheduled recreational activities

Innisfail Eagles hockey action at the Innisfail Arena was cancelled on Jan. 30 when it was discovered the blue rink's brine pump failed. The problem has now been fixed and user groups have returned to the Arena. Johnnie Bachusky/MVP Staff

INNISFAIL - The brine pump failure that forced the cancellation of the Innisfail Eagles game last Sunday afternoon has been fixed.

And user group activities for the following evening (Jan. 31) and after were not adversely impacted.

“Everything is working. There were no cancellations last evening (Jan. 31),” said Meghan Jenkins, the director of community services for the Town of Innisfail.

On Sunday, Jan. 30, the brine pump, which circulates brine in the arena’s refrigerating system, failed for the blue ice surface.

The failure forced the cancellation of the scheduled Jan. 30 afternoon senior men's hockey game between the Innisfail Eagles and the Lethbridge Lightning.

Jenkins said a maintenance contractor was at the arena on Jan. 30 to address the issue with the brine pump.

She said the problem has no relation to last fall’s broken condenser unit, an important component of the refrigeration system. The town had to replace that unit at a cost of $112,700.

“That is a totally different system,” said Jenkins.

However, she said the contractor was able to fix the problem by replacing fuses and a component in the brine pump. She said the issue centred around an electrical issue in the pump.

She said there would not be a “significant” cost for the repairs, which did not require putting out tenders.