7.2. ICESR 04-09-2013 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Elk REQUEST FOR ACTION River To 1 ITEM NUMBER Arena Commission 7.2 AGENDA SECTION MEETING DATE PREPARED BY Action Item April 9, 2013 Rich Czech ITEM DESCRIPTION REVIEWED By Olympic Ice Plant / Arena Renovation Cal Portner REVIEWED BY ACTION REQUESTED Provide direction BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION The need to make the necessary repairs to the ice plants is reaching a critical state. We have found a refrigeration leak in the Olympic Arena ice plant,which will require replacing at least 1,000 pounds of R- 22 Refrigerant this spring. The valve on the bucket trap is rusted to the point where it will have to be replaced. Unfortunately, the valve cannot be isolated so the refrigeration must be removed which will require hiring a contractor. The valve regulates system pressure to divert heat from passing through the cooling tower, to a heat reclaimer to the snow melt pit and the sub floor in below the ice surface. The system is operable without the valve, however not as efficient and adds more costs to arena operations. This is the second time that the valve has broken. Further, the ice plant is insulated to prevent condensation and corrosion from warm air. The insulation is old, drying out, and falling off. Insulation replacement was in the 2007 CIP at an estimated cost of $27,000. It was removed because it was expected the system would be replaced. The Olympic ice plant holds 6,000-6,500 pounds of R-22. R-22 costs $18 to $20 per pound, 50% more than last year. A major leak would cost a minimum of$108,000. With the increasing limited availability of R22, it is possible that we wouldn't be able to find enough refrigeration to fully charge the system. The city does have insurance to cover lost revenue in case the arena is closed down for an extended period of time. The increasing number of problems we have experienced this year indicates that the system is in dire need of replacement, especially with the upcoming phase out of R22 being less than 10 years. Unfortunately the renovation or the replacement of the Arena has yet to be determined; however the plan to replace the refrigeration system needs to be planned for the immediate future. We are not alone in this situation, there are many arenas that have replaced or in the process of replacing their refrigeration systems, including Parade Stadium, Chaska, Mankato, Eden Prairie, New Hope, Brooklyn Park, Fogerty (Blaine), UMD, and Gustavus Adolphus. There is draft legislation under the Mighty Ducks framework that proposes to appropriate $5 million in matching grants for air quality IP 0 II E R E a al C:\Users\rczcch\Desktop\ARENAMGR\Arena Commission\2013\April Commission Packet\(8) Action Requested NATURE Olympic Ice Plant Arena Renovation.docx RF`