Ice Rinks with slab foundations consist of two systems. The cold system is the upper level of the two and sits within the poured concrete slab, chilling the floor producing the ice surface. The second system is the warm system, which rests below and provides warmth that prevents permafrost from forming and keeps the soil the system rests on stable. If a warm floor is not operating properly over an extended period of time, permafrost will form, creating heaving of the cold slab and damage to the cold system.
The Allen Community Ice Rink became aware of slab displacement in early 2015. With maintenance to the chiller package planned in the summer of 2015, the building team decided to pressure test the warm system to identify leaks and status of the under floor lines at that time. The initial attempt to test the underfloor warm system for leaks was halted when the initial air pressure test identified damaged lines from the chiller package to the ice rink not allowing the testing of the lines under the ice slab. In response to this, the team worked with contractors to install an isolation valve next to the community rink to allow testing of the under floor lines. This install and testing was completed in April 2016, with the test identifying that the lines would not hold pressure. Leaks in the system were determined to be the cause of the failure.
The team reached out to the Chiller Package installer, Cimco, to evaluate options. Cimco's option was complete replacement of the warm system that would require removal of portions of the undamaged cold floor and result in a 3 to 5 month closure of the ice rink with an estimated replacement cost between $700,000 to $900,000. Building staff began researching alternative options to determine if there were alternatives for repair or replacement.
The company of GS Ice Sports (Golden State Hockey Rush, LLC) was referred to the ice rink team through Serving The American Rinks, an organization that is a national leader in ice rink operations. In May 2016, GS Ice Sports staff evaluated the situation and determined the warm system needed replacement and confirmed that the displacement of the cold floor was at a level of high concern.
The purpose of this agreement with Golden State is for their provision of total project consulting services and project planning which includes the final heat floor system design, vendor selection, vendor scope of work details and certification of completed work to Contractor standards.
Upon approval of this consulting agreement, staff fully intends to work with Golden State to finalize the construction costs, vendors, scope of work and contracts for Council consideration at the May 23, 2017 City Council meeting.
Timeline of Warm Brine Maintenance and Repair
Isolation Valve Work & Pressure Test - Completed 2/8/2016 - 4/26/2016
Pressure Testing and Assessment - Completed 5/2/2016
Rapid Thaw Project and Bore Testing - Completed 6/6/2016 - 6/19/2016
Rapid Thaw Project - Completed 12/21/2016 - 1/2/2017
Sub-Flooring Heating Consulting - Proposed to begin 5/10/2017 (upon Council approval)
Sub-Floor Heating Installation - Proposed to begin Mid-May 2017 (upon Council approval of proposed construction contracts)
Additionally, the City has filed an insurance claim on this repair. As outlined in the attached letter from TML, the Pool has committed to reimbursing the City for a portion of the repair project costs, specifically costs related to concrete demolition, digging, trenching and boring as well as some of the additional construction costs.