Thursday, June 24, 2021
The Columbia Shuswap Regional District (CSRD) is trying to preserve some of the summer ice season at the Sicamous and District Recreation Centre following the discovery of trace amounts of ammonia in the brine solution of the arena's ice chilling system.
To ensure the facility will be operational in the fall, the CSRD Board voted unanimously to pay up to $250,000 for the emergency purchase of a new plate-and-frame ice chiller.
A small leak was detected during routine spring maintenance of the refrigeration system when trace amounts of ammonia were found in the brine solution. At no time was there a health risk to the public or to the workers in the facility.
Refrigeration contractors were unable to isolate the location of the leak within the tube chiller, therefore, an option to repair the existing chiller was deemed impossible.
To ensure the availability of ice time this summer and into the fall, staff have proceeded with ordering the new plate-and-frame chiller unit. Delivery of the new chiller unit is expected in three to five weeks, with installation requiring up to two weeks. At that time, ice would need to be installed at the facility.
The $250,000 will be drawn from a capital reserve fund, however, this will leave little cash left in the fund for future needs.
"I think this is the best step forward," said Electoral Area E Director Rhona Martin. "If we can salvage some of the summer ice, that would be fantastic."
The Sicamous and District Recreation Centre is owned by the CSRD and managed by Nustadia Recreation Inc, who began their contract on June 14, 2021. The CSRD will update residents as to the status of summer arena operations on its website and social media platforms once more information is available. View the June 24 2021 Board Agrees to Emergency Ice Chiller Replacement (PDF).
