OXBOW - The arena and curling rink in Oxbow were built in 1961.
The ice plant was installed in 1963 for the curling rink; in 1986 this plant was replaced with a plant that could produce artificial ice for the skating and curling arenas.
Start-up on the ice plant is hard on the unit. The fall of 2023 has proven to be a particularly hard start up. The chiller was replaced by insurance this fall. However, numerous leaks have added up to a large bill in repairs.
Each time the condenser leaks, refrigerant must be replaced. This year’s bill for repairs is $47,000 so far. There is no guarantee that there will not be further repairs required. With that in mind and considering its age, the Town of Oxbow and its recreation division have decided to replace the entire unit.
The new unit is a 70-tonne Thermosyphon Ice Plant. It runs far more efficiently and uses outdoor temperatures to cool the plant when the weather permits, reducing the monthly costs significantly.
The cost of the new plant is $700,000. The overall savings in operation will help to offset this cost through the years. The Town of Lampman installed a similar unit and appreciates the efficiency and savings.
The town's annual Chase the Ace fundraiser will dedicate the funds raised this year to the ice plant fund. The fundraiser began Sept. 20 and is expected to run until June 19, 2024. Treena Mohrbutter from the town of Oxbow and Lane Nicholls, sports and recreation director, are thrilled to have such a generous commitment to the upgrade. Last year the fundraiser reached $110,000.
Tickets may be purchased online, providing that they are bought within Saskatchewan. They are $10 each with an e-transfer to oxbowchasetheace@outlook,com. Wednesdays at 7 p.m. is the cutoff for that week. The draw will be made each Wednesday at 7:45 p.m. and can be watched on Facebook Live on the Oxbow & District Recreation Board's Facebook page.
Nicholls will be heading up a committee of volunteers in the new year. He mentioned that they would work on more fundraising ideas. He asks that people keep that in mind. Mohrbutter has applied for grants and funding through provincial and federal channels.
Nicholls mentioned that the rinks are kept busy with six different hockey teams, plus Star and Can-Skate programs, rentals by the Glen Ewen 4-H Club, public skating, shoot-around time and three-hour skates organized by the Oxbow branch of the Royal Canadian Legion and the Oxbow Lions Club on school holidays. As well, the curling rink hosts senior and junior teams, school programs, doubles and four-person teams.
“The rink is a social gathering place when the weather is too cool to enjoy outdoor activities. It’s nice to come down and have a piping hot chocolate and visit a while as you enjoy the rink activities.”
