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ELK RIVER ICE ARENA-ICE SYSTEM EVALUATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS <br /> Option 1: Do Nothing—Maintain Existing Rink 1 Ice System <br /> With a relatively new ice rink floor (8-years old) and no current <br /> major problems with the 31-year old refrigeration system, the <br /> City may elect to keep operating the existing system in the near <br /> future and plan long term for its replacement. <br /> The existing direct refrigeration ice systems in both Rinks 1 and <br /> 2, manufactured and installed by Holmsten Ice Rinks; were <br /> commonly installed in arenas during the 1970's and 80's. The <br /> design of this direct ice system is unique and has proven to <br /> perform very well and be very efficiently. However,the system <br /> is outdated and numerous concerns with the standard system <br /> design and current code regulations have prompted facilities to <br /> convert or change to indirect ice systems. These concerns <br /> include: <br /> • Aging equipment: Major improvements to the existing <br /> refrigeration system will soon be required to extend its <br /> safe and useful life. <br /> • Safety: The direct ice system circulates R-22 refrigerant <br /> in the ice rink floor, which is located in the occupied <br /> space of the facility, potentially exposing spectators, <br /> skaters and workers to leaking refrigerant as the floor <br /> system ages. <br /> • Environmental: The existing system uses a large volume <br /> of R-22 refrigerant (approximately 4,000 Ibs) with a high <br /> global warming potential (GWP) rating. R-22 <br /> refrigerant is scheduled to be phased out of production <br /> in the near future. <br /> • Cost and future availability: As the phase-out date for <br /> R-22 approaches, the cost will continue to increase. <br /> Since 2005,the cost of R-22 refrigerant has risen 850%. <br /> Because of these concerns,we do not recommend replacing the <br /> existing direct refrigeration system with a new direct <br /> refrigeration system even though the rink floor is only 8-years <br /> old. Replacing the rink floor in 2004 with the same system was <br /> a good option at the time given the high operating efficiency <br /> and performance of the Holmsten direct system and the quality <br /> of construction of the refrigeration system. Unfortunately, the <br /> phase-out of R-22 refrigerant started to accelerate shortly after <br /> construction of the new floor was completed. <br /> Stevens 17 <br /> ENGINEERS PLANNERS SURVEYORS <br />