ST. PAUL - Discussions around the purchase of a new ice resurfacer, also known as a Zamboni, for the Clancy Richard Arena took place on Monday night.
Administration presented council with information regarding an electric model, which would allow the municipality to apply for a grant worth about $50,000.
"On the five-year Capital Budget plan, there is a new Olympia Zamboni for the Clancy arena," said CAO Steven Jeffery. "Our current ice resurfacer at the Clancy Arena is a 2006 Zamboni and is in need of replacement in the near future. The Parks and Recreation staff is wanting to go with a new electric ice resurfacer as there is an Electric Vehicles for Municipalities grant funding opportunity through Alberta Municipalities and MCCAC," he explained."
Parks and Recreation staff have already applied for the grant.
"In order to get approval of the electric vehicles grant we would need a guarantee that we would receive the Olympia before the end of January 2024," said Jeffery.
The CAO noted that he would like to enter into an agreement with the company that would supply the ice resurfacer, guaranteeing delivery so the Town would be eligible for the grant if it is successful.
"In order to receive the Olympia before January 2024, we would need to place the order for the Olympia before the December 1, 2022," said Jeffery.
Miller noted that while she would not want to be committed if the company cannot deliver on time and the Town is stuck with an extra $50,000 bill, she understands that the current unit at the Clancy Richard Arena has reached the end of its lifespan and getting parts for the machine is now difficult.
Jeffery noted that Municipal Sustainability Initiative (MSI) funding or Gas Tax Fund will pay the remaining amount for the unit. The quote on the 2023 Olympia Millennium Model E is over $178,000.
A motion to approve an Electric Olympia to the 2023 Capital Budget so administration can order the Olympia before December 1, 2022, was carried.
The Town will also be looking to the user groups of the arena to possibly offer further financial assistance in the purchase, said Jeffery, after the meeting.
