SUNDRE — A less than one-week delay in getting the ice ready at the Sundre Arena last month was attributed to a build up of condensation inside the building that was dripping down and preventing the effort to properly paint the lines.
“It was just too much condensation inside the building,” Sue Nelson, manager of community services, told the Albertan late last month.
The municipality had initially intended to open the arena’s doors to the community on Monday, Sept. 19, but that date was set back about five days to Saturday, Sept. 24.
User groups such as recreational and minor hockey as well as the skating club and adult hockey leagues have since been using the ice.
Asked how the situation with respect to the buildup of condensation inside the building causing issues might be addressed in the future if the municipality plans to continue making the arena available earlier in the season, Nelson said, “Definitely by the end of next summer, the dehumidifier will be put inside the building. So, hopefully that will rectify all our problems.”
A unit was as of the time of the interview sitting in storage awaiting installation, she said.
“It’s not been brought into the [arena] building yet,” she said. “It’s not in position, but we do have it in our possession.”
Multiple attempts over the past couple of weeks to reach by phone and email the municipality’s administration to inquire about information about the dehumidifier, including when the unit was delivered and scheduled to be installed as well as at what cost, were not successful.
Meanwhile, Nelson added the town crew installed the boards for the outdoor rink immediately adjacent the Sundre Skatepark so that the effort to flood and prepare the outdoor ice surface can begin once weather conditions allow.
