Minto to seek funding for refrigeration upgrades at Palmerston arena

MINTO – The Town of Minto will apply for federal funding to help replace aging refrigeration equipment at the Palmerston Community Centre, a project estimated to cost about $800,000.

Minto council approved a staff recommendation on July 14 directing staff to submit an application to the federal government’s Build Communities Strong Fund, which could cover up to 50 per cent of eligible project costs.

According to a staff report, applications for the Local Impact Stream of the program were due Aug. 6, with funding available for shovel-ready community infrastructure projects ranging from $125,000 to $1 million.

Director of community services Matt Lubbers said staff just recently became aware of the funding opportunity.

“So, in early June, Treasurer Duff and I were made aware of a grant opportunity that came with a tight turnaround, with applications being due on Aug. 6,” Lubbers told council. 

“When reviewing possible projects, the refrigeration equipment at the Palmerston arena was identified as a worthwhile initiative.”

According to the report, the proposed project would replace the arena’s refrigeration system, including the chiller, compressor, condenser and brine pump.

It also states in the report that the Palmerston and District Community Centre Complex has recently undergone improvements, including additional dressing rooms, leading to increased use of the facility. 

Staff say replacing the refrigeration system as a complete unit would be more economical and efficient than replacing individual components over time.

Lubbers said staff members hope to combine several planned capital projects into a single funding application.

“What we’re hoping to do is apply for the grant with your permission and try and consolidate two to four years’ worth of projects that we’ve got on the radar from now until 2030 and try and get 50% funding for it,” he said. 

“It’s a very competitive process … it’s worth a shot, and it would be great if we can get 50 cents on the dollar for these items.”

Staff also explained projects funded through the program cannot begin before April 1, 2027, and must be completed within two years.

Mayor Dave Turton asked whether the replacement system would continue to use ammonia refrigeration.

Lubbers said ammonia systems remain the standard for arenas in the region, although newer refrigeration technologies are being explored elsewhere.

“There are a couple of different technologies out there. Around here it’s pretty much strictly ammonia systems with brine underneath the floor,” he said. “We would kind of keep the door open, but it depends on the price and how much retrofitting you might need to do.”

Councillor Judy Dirksen asked whether any existing equipment could be reused at the Harriston arena.

Lubbers said most of the Palmerston equipment would have reached the end of its service life by the time the project proceeds.

“Most likely anything that we do through the grant would be scrapped,” he stated.

Councillor Ron Elliott questioned whether new refrigeration equipment could allow the Palmerston arena to extend its ice season.

Lubbers said the limitation is not the refrigeration system itself but the arena’s floor design.

“We wouldn’t be able to extend the season at Palmerston just because underneath the floor we don’t have any heat,” he said.

“Realistically, September to April is about as much as we can do at Palmerston. At Harriston it’s a floating floor, so you could keep ice in 12 months if you wanted.”

According to the report, if the grant application is successful, the project would be included in the town’s 2027 capital budget. Costs associated with preparing the application would be paid through the 2026 capital budget, with study costs potentially eligible for reimbursement through the funding program.

Council unanimously approved the application.