The Castlegar and District Recreation Commission has decided to replace the chiller at the Castlegar & District Community Complex arena. The existing chiller—a shell-and-tube model—has been in service for 22 years and has reached the end of its useful service life. The new chiller will be a plate-and-frame model that provides enhanced safety and efficiency.
The RDCK said the total cost is estimated at $258,000, with the funds for the work coming from reserves.
“The safety of our staff, patrons and the larger community is our top priority, so when we received reports from the refrigeration professionals who recommended that we replace the chiller, we knew what we had to do,” said Lawrence Chernoff, Chair of the Commission. “We considered other alternatives but the plate-and-frame model provides the best option for safety and efficiency.”
The commission considered moving the Pioneer Arena chiller to the Complex, since it still has several years of service life remaining. This would have meant the immediate closure of the Pioneer Arena. If the upcoming referendum on enhancements to the Complex is successful, this would mean that the community would be without a second ice sheet for at least three years.
Director Chernoff noted that the decision to replace the chiller had to be made now, in order for the Complex arena to be operational in time for fall ice programs. The work will take place this summer.
The Commission will consider the closure date of the Pioneer Arena and whether to complete the further required safety repairs following the June 23rd referendum on proposed enhancements costing $32 million to the Castlegar complex.
