The Innisfail Twin Arena is getting a major upgrade for its ice plant.
On Aug. 11, town council approved to spend $68,780.21 for the supply and installation of an evaporative condenser for the arena.
Craig Teal, the town's director of planning and operations, told council the current condenser needed to be replaced as it was at least 20 years old.
Darrell Miller, the town's arena parks supervisor, said a condenser, a key component for making ice and ensuring its consistency, turns high pressure vapour ammonia into liquid, which causes less workload on the two ice compressors, resulting in the entire ice plant running more efficiently.
Teal told council that administration received a proposal from Startec Refrigeration for the purchase and installation of the replacement condenser, one that was initially supposed to be supplied to the Town of Whitecourt for its twin arenas. However, council was told it was not suitable for the northern Alberta town's facility.
Council heard Startec had confirmed the unit fitted Innisfail's needs “fully” in terms of refrigeration load, electrical and motor requirements.
Startec offered to supply the condenser that was originally earmarked for Whitecourt to Innisfail at cost, council heard.
“There are significant cost savings represented for the town with respect to this proposal, which are estimated to be twenty to thirty thousand dollars. This is mainly due to Startec's offer to forego their usual practice of adding a markup to mechanical equipment and supplies,” said Teal in his report.
Council was told the funding for the new unit, along with accessories and installation, will come from funds in the town's 2013 operational surplus and the 2014 operating contingency.
Miller said he hopes to have new condenser up and running at the Innisfail Twin Arena by Sept. 7.
