It’s been a long time coming, but Puslinch councillors have finally approved the replacement of the refrigeration plant at the Optimist Recreation Centre.
Councillors made the decision on Jan. 8 after reviewing the single source contract with Total Refrigeration Limited in the amount of $63,200 excluding HST.
Work will include replacement of the refrigeration plant and any incidental costs related to its replacement will be funded from the recreation working reserve and the cash in lieu of parkland reserve fund.
The township entered a contract for the supply and installation of the refrigeration plant for the rink at the Optimist Recreation Centre in March 2010.
The plant first began operations later that year and since then a number of issues have been identified, including noise, vibration, functionality and compliance with requirements of the Technical Safety Standards Association (TSSA).
While remedial work was undertaken, the work did not address all the concerns raised.
In order to mitigate concerns related to noise and to complete any outstanding TSSA requirements, it was recommended that the existing refrigeration plant be replaced with two Bitzer single-stage, semi-hermetic compressors.
The replacement of the system would be completed in January/February, at a time when the weather forecasts cold temperatures over several days, in order to minimize any potential impact on ice rentals.
“It’s finally good to see us get off the merry-go-round with respect to this and that something concrete is happening,” councillor Wayne Stokley said.
Stokley added he appreciated the work done to get to this point, “and that we are now moving forward.”
Mayor Dennis Lever agreed.
Public works superintendent Don Creed said once the resolution is passed, he would inform the contractor.
The estimate is that the work would require five days, therefore a specific weather window is required.
Mayor Lever clarified that the intent is to undertake the work when it is very cold so the township does not detract from the current ice schedule.
Council then passed the resolution approving the project.
