Civic Centre "fix" could see ice back at rink next week

A temporary fix to the ammonia pipes in the refrigeration system of the Prince Rupert Civic Centre could see ice back in the complex by next week, a prospect that no doubt will lessen the load of local users such as Prince Rupert Minor Hockey, the Prince Rupert Figure Skating Club and the local CIHL team the Prince Rupert Rampage.

Those three groups have had to make alternative arrangements for training and such with the breakdown of the ice making equipment, word of its repair, all be it temporary will at least allow them to get some portion of their season's underway.

The temporary solution is set to cost roughly 15,000 dollars, a cost that Rudy Kelly of the City's recreation department tells the Northern View will be covered by Prince Rupert Minor Hockey.

The rink will however still require the major overhaul of its ice making system, with a 120,000 dollar chiller and compressor destined to be installed in November, a move which require local users to do without the ice again while installation takes place.

Further testing of the temporary system will take place over the next few days, with a hopeful debut of ice at the Civic Centre planned for Wednesday, September 26.

CBC Daybreak North-- Prince Rupert ice rink runs out of ice (audio report)
The Northern View-- Rink will be working again by next Wednesday
The Northern View-- City hoping that a temporary fix can get ice rink working in a week
The Northern View-- Ice not expected in Prince Rupert arena until early November