New Technology Creates Better Arena Ice, Cost Savings

Courtesy of the City of Williams Lake:

New icemaking technology installed at the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex is expected to result in significant cost savings and fewer greenhouse gas emissions.

Complex staff is current using REALice devices to create ice on the Complex’s two arenas. The devices remove oxygen bubbles and minerals from water to create harder, denser ice. The ice can be created and resurfaced using ambient temperature water, rather than water heated to between 140 and 160 degrees Fahrenheit.

“The Complex uses hundreds of thousands of gallons of water to create the ice and to resurface it with the Zamboni. Not having to first heat the water will significantly reduce natural gas costs,” says Facility Maintenance Coordinator Garry Breck. As a result of using cooler water (about 60 degrees Fahrenheit), less humidity will occur during ice resurfacing, which means the arenas’ dehumidifiers will be used up to 90% less, saving on both electricity costs and maintenance. The same effect will be seen with the Complex’s boiler. In addition, the denser ice means the ice sheet can be thinner, and the concrete slab underneath will not have to be kept as cool.

“Our Official Community Plan calls for both World Class Recreation and Cherished Local Ecosystems, and this technology will allow us to offer better ice for user groups while saving on greenhouse gas emissions,” says Director of Community Services Geoff Paynton. “We expect smoother, clearer ice with fewer gouges, and substantial savings on gas and electricity – savings we can re-invest into the Complex and its programs.”

The REALice technology is used in hundreds of arenas in Europe, and 14 in British Columbia, including at the Agrodome at the Vancouver PNE, Kelowna Memorial Arena, and the CN Centre in Prince George. The equipment was purchased using $32,000 in Community Works federal funding. The cost savings are expected to pay for the equipment in less than two and a half years.

Ice is now available in both arenas at the Complex. More information on the REALice technology is available at www.realice.ca.