The ice plant at the Drumheller Memorial Arena is back up and running after crews were able to replace a chiller unit. Despite this, the Dragons Hockey School has been postponed until August 11-15.
The Drumheller Memorial Arena is back up and running and making ice, it just was a little too late for the Drumheller Dragons Hockey School.
The annual summer youth day camp to brush up on hockey skills and have fun has been postponed because of lack of ice. Originally the camp was set to begin last Monday, however a breakdown of the ice plant at the arena has forced organizers to set the camp dates to August 11-15. So far they have also had to cancel the shooting and checking clinics.
Director of Infrastructure Services Al Kendrick told The Mail one of the chillers on the ice plant broke down and needed to be replaced. It could have been a catastrophic breakdown, but contractors and town workers were able to expedite the needed part and get them installed.
“We were very fortunate to find one and secure it because if we had to order one… we wouldn’t have been making ice until probably December,” said Kendrick.
By the end of the weekend, the plant was up and running again.
“We managed to get it running. We had a few problems part way through but we are now making ice,” said Kendrick.
He says the cost of the repair has yet to be fully determined.
Kendrick explains they have had two major repairs over the last two seasons that were not scheduled maintenance. Last season one of the compressors went down.
“We were hoping to get another five or so years out of those units, but when you hit that 10-plus year window things can start to go,” said Kendrick.
There is still space available for the Dragons hockey School. For more information call the Dragons office at 403-823-2022.
