The Glengarry Sport Palace rink refrigeration system is made up of chillers, steel pipes and brine water as an antifreeze agent, to maintain the temperature needed to maintain the ice inside the arena. The current chiller system, installed in 2010, has been well-maintained during its fifteen years and was expected to continue to operate for an additional three to five years. 

The chiller is located in the compressor room and is the main component of the heat exchange system where ammonia is used to cool brine, removing the heat from the cement slab in the arena, allowing for the surface to be cooled enough that water will freeze and create the ice surface. A mechanical failure in the chiller caused the ammonia & brine to mix in the refrigeration system, making the chiller equipment unoperational.

The cost to replace the chiller and dispose of the mixed brine & ammonia has been quoted at $228,887. Falling under the emergency procurement policy for the Township of North Glengarry, the purchase was approved to help limit the amount of delay for the start of ice season at the Sports Palace in Alexandria. CIMCO is a leading supplier for ice systems that optimize energy use & ice quality and has been chosen as the company to replace the chiller system.

Because this was an unexpected failure & expense, funds from the reserve will be used for the emergency purchase. To accommodate the delays in getting ice installed at the arena, North Glengarry Township staff has moved forward the ice installation at the Maxville & District Sports Complex and has been working with organizations to prioritize schedules and accommodate as many users as possible on the Maxville ice. It is expected the new equipment and installed ice will be completed for use by the end of October.

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