Crookston Civic Arena LLC will soon be awarding the bid for the new Zamboni ice resurfacer to Becker Arena Products of Savage, Minn. for $82,000, plus $5,000 tax.
In the facility’s furnishings, fixtures and equipment budget, a new resurfacer was estimated to cost $80,000.
When it comes to Zambonis, Scott Riopelle, assistant Parks & Recreation director, said that there are three price levels, and the one the city is buying is in the middle level.
It’s also gasoline powered instead of propane-powered, like the current 2004 Zamboni used at the Civic and Sports arenas. Riopelle said the trend in the industry is turning back to gas because gas-powered engines don’t run as hot as propane-powered engines and, therefore, last longer.
Addressing exhaust fumes from a previous gas-powered resurfacer that triggered complaints years ago, Riopelle said that won’t be a problem with the new machine for two reasons: One, the engine runs cleaner and more efficiently and, two, the new facility will have a comprehensive air exchange/handling system that will prevent fumes from permeating the facility and bothering people.
Weekly air quality tests in the current facilities, Riopelle said, have come back clean since the 2004 machine went into operation.
“The older one from before burned nastily,” added Scott Kleven, Parks & Recreation director.
During a typical week in the hockey/skating season, the city spends $150 on propane, Riopelle said, adding that gasoline costs would be significantly less than that.
Asked at this week’s city Ways & Means Committee if an electric Zamboni was considered during the bidding process, Riopelle said it was, but an electric resurfacer costs at least $20,000 more and that new batteries cost a couple thousand dollars, too. With the machine having to resurface multiple sheets of ice, Riopelle added, it would need frequent recharging and would burn through batteries quicker than most electric Zambonis would.
On the arena’s “tier 3” list of furniture, fixtures and equipment that includes many wish-list items but nothing essential to the new arena’s daily operation, is a second new ice resurfacer. Riopelle said Becker Arena Products has indicated they would hold the price for a potential second Zamboni until the first one is delivered in 10 months to a year.
“They say they last seven to 10 years, but we use our current one twice as hard to do two sheets, so it might be something to consider,” Riopelle said.
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Crookston Civic Arena LLC will soon be awarding the bid for the new Zamboni ice resurfacer to Becker Arena Products of Savage, Minn. for $82,000, plus $5,000 tax.
In the facility’s furnishings, fixtures and equipment budget, a new resurfacer was estimated to cost $80,000.
When it comes to Zambonis, Scott Riopelle, assistant Parks & Recreation director, said that there are three price levels, and the one the city is buying is in the middle level.
It’s also gasoline powered instead of propane-powered, like the current 2004 Zamboni used at the Civic and Sports arenas. Riopelle said the trend in the industry is turning back to gas because gas-powered engines don’t run as hot as propane-powered engines and, therefore, last longer.
Addressing exhaust fumes from a previous gas-powered resurfacer that triggered complaints years ago, Riopelle said that won’t be a problem with the new machine for two reasons: One, the engine runs cleaner and more efficiently and, two, the new facility will have a comprehensive air exchange/handling system that will prevent fumes from permeating the facility and bothering people.
Weekly air quality tests in the current facilities, Riopelle said, have come back clean since the 2004 machine went into operation.
“The older one from before burned nastily,” added Scott Kleven, Parks & Recreation director.
During a typical week in the hockey/skating season, the city spends $150 on propane, Riopelle said, adding that gasoline costs would be significantly less than that.
Asked at this week’s city Ways & Means Committee if an electric Zamboni was considered during the bidding process, Riopelle said it was, but an electric resurfacer costs at least $20,000 more and that new batteries cost a couple thousand dollars, too. With the machine having to resurface multiple sheets of ice, Riopelle added, it would need frequent recharging and would burn through batteries quicker than most electric Zambonis would.
On the arena’s “tier 3” list of furniture, fixtures and equipment that includes many wish-list items but nothing essential to the new arena’s daily operation, is a second new ice resurfacer. Riopelle said Becker Arena Products has indicated they would hold the price for a potential second Zamboni until the first one is delivered in 10 months to a year.
“They say they last seven to 10 years, but we use our current one twice as hard to do two sheets, so it might be something to consider,” Riopelle said.
