Vernon Matters file photo

By Liam Verster

Update

Chiller repaired at Kal Tire Place, but ice not yet ready

Mar 14, 2024 | 3:00 PM

The ice chiller that sprung a leak at Kal Tire Place has been repaired, but the rink is still several days away from being ready for skaters.

The leak set off an ammonia alarm in the arena at around 9 p.m. Saturday, March 9, leading to an immediate shutdown of the system.

Speaking with Vernon Matters Thursday, March 14, Shayne Wright, Recreation Services’ manager of community recreation, said the chiller has been fixed.

“So we’re just working on getting the ice put back in,” Wright said.

“We’re waiting. The paint, to make it look white, is coming in [Friday], so that’s when we can start making it look like a skate surface again.”

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The reopening could happen by Wednesday, March 20.

Wright said putting the ice back in is not a quick operation, and it could take around five days to complete that process.

The closure of the arena has led to user groups having to use other ice surfaces, including the Vernon Vipers, who are playing their two home games this weekend in Kal Tire Place North.

“There’s many groups that have had to be bumped around, and it’s just amazing how cooperative everyone has been,” Wright said.

“It’s extreme circumstance with the arena being [closed], losing a primary rink in town, but everybody’s sort of stepped up, juggled around, and most groups have been able to take place, which is good.”

Along with Kal Tire North, the Pleasant Valley Arena is still functional, and while Wright said the city does not want to keep it open longer than necessary, it has been able to be used by some of the groups.

“We do have some more openings which is why can accomodate everybody. It is the end of hockey season essentially and most of the ice-program seasons are wrapping up,” Wright told Vernon Matters.

“We lucked out I think with having more ice availability this time of year. In February, it probably would have been a different scenario.”

The City of Vernon will provide more details on the timeline for getting the ice ready Friday once all the necessary equipment and items have been received.