The Fernie Memorial Arena is set to receive another upgrade in 2019, which should help maintain the integrity of the aging facility over the coming years.
The City of Fernie has announced the upcoming installation of a new dehumidification unit, which will be used to prevent moisture accumulating inside the arena during ice production, and assist in maintaining the wood truss integrity over time.
This new system, along with the new cooling system installed in August of last year, can be repurposed and transferred to another facility if necessary.
The amount set aside for the new dehumidification unit in the Five Year Financial Plan, which has gone through three readings of council but still requires public engagement then final council approval, is $185,000.
The City is still awaiting budget approval by council before the equipment is procured and scheduled for installation.
This is one initiative of many that the City said it is exploring to help remedy the issue of aging equipment.
“The City has trained personnel staffing the plant to ensure the City keeps up to date with industry best practices,” said a City spokeswoman.
Looking back on the past year, she said the City is proud of the commitment and efforts of many community groups and stakeholders.
The City expressed its gratitude towards these groups for their collaborative work and efforts towards the re-opening of the arena.
In other news, the City is pleased with the amount of use the outdoor rink has received since its installation.
“The Outdoor Community Rink is highly used by many groups in the community and the facility serves as an alternative healthy option for sport, and family activities in Fernie,” said the spokeswoman.