Ice improvements considered for District Ice Centre in Taylor to improve quality and lower energy costs

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Taylor is considering a major technology upgrade to its ice centre to lower energy costs and improve ice quality. 

During the June 23rd committee of the whole meeting, the District of Taylor council reviewed a report from staff regarding an ice technology upgrade for the District Ice Centre. 

The district’s parks and facilities manager Mike Farquharson explained the district hopes to purchase Real Ice Technology for the centre for approximately $41,500 through the Local Government Climate Action Program.

The system would lower the energy costs of the centre and clarify the ice, removing air bubbles and impurities from the water used to resurface the rink. 

Farquharson stated the intention was for the system to arrive before the rink opens in the fall, but when asked by council, he stated if it did not arrive in time it could be installed mid-season. 

According to staff, the district received three years of funding, or $155,534, in advance from the fund to “support enhanced capacity to move forward on climate action initiatives.”

Staff also noted the centre is “one of the largest utility users in the district,” and the new technology could provide savings in the first year of use of up to $10,903, with an additional approximately $2,780 in utility savings every year afterwards. 

To be approved, the council would need to add the purchase of the technology to the 2025 Capital Plan through a resolution.  

Energeticcity.ca will update this story as more information becomes available.