Council approves $500,000 to replace aging Ice & Event Center chiller

The Laramie City Council on Feb. 3 approved Resolution 2026‑16, a $500,000 amendment to fiscal-year appropriations to fund replacing the Ice & Event Center’s chiller and compressors. The motion, made by Councilor Fried and seconded by Councilor Newman, passed by roll call 8–0 with one absent.

Director Bork described the chiller as the original R‑22 unit and said it is failing and costly to service. "We had to put 30 pounds in last year, 48 pounds this year," Bork said, explaining that R‑22 was banned for new production and import in 2020 and is now difficult and expensive to obtain. He said the system has required replacement of several contactors and sensors and that staff worry about sustaining reliable ice-making operations.

Bork said estimates for lead time on new equipment ranged from about six to 30 weeks depending on manufacturer and equipment type; staff will include timeline requirements in the bid documents and prioritize vendors who can meet the city's schedule to avoid disruption to hockey and public-skate seasons. He also said staff considered whether to buy a larger chiller that could serve more than one ice sheet, but cost estimates for that option approached $8.9 million, prompting staff to recommend replacing the existing unit rather than purchasing oversized equipment now.

Councilors noted the facility serves a high number of users (staff cited about 60,000 annual users) and expressed support for replacing the equipment to avoid operational disruptions. The resolution funds procurement and installation planning; staff said they will communicate with user groups if timing threatens the next ice season.

The motion passed by roll call: eight yes, zero no, one absent.