Ice arena to stay closed for season after cooling‑tower pump failure, staff say

County staff reported at a May 6 Beaver County work session that a catastrophic failure of the ice arena's cooling‑tower pump will keep the rink closed for the remainder of the season and that repairs could cost about $33,000.

A staff member said the immediate repair needs include a replacement pump priced at roughly $13,000 and an automated chlorine feeder and cabinet at about $20,000. The speaker added that the county has already spent about $19,365 this year on other mechanical work for chillers, compressors and expansion valves.

Staff told the board the lead time for the replacement pump makes reopening before the planned May 22 seasonal closing impractical. The county posted closure notices to user groups and social channels, and staff said they will compile an estimate of lost revenue from canceled hockey, figure skating, public sessions and private events.

The staff member said the county will discuss warranty and contract liability with the contractor in executive session; the county noted the company that recommended the additional equipment is the successor to the firm that performed the original installation and that liabilities appeared to have transferred with the takeover.

Commissioners asked staff to gather financial impact numbers and to return with options; no formal vote or motion was taken at the meeting.