City of Powell River Council has provided pre-approval for three capital expenditures for Powell River Recreation Complex in 2021.
At the February 4 city council meeting, councillors voted to provide pre-approval for an electric ice resurfacer, valued at $185,000, an ammonia receiver, valued at $36,000, and plate and frame chiller gaskets, valued at $49,000.
Councillor Jim Palm said this is time-sensitive in terms of the recreation complex moving forward before the city adopts its final financial plan in May.
Council carried the motion.
Director of parks, recreation and culture Ray Boogaard outlined the purchases in a report to council. With regard to replacement of the existing natural-gas-powered Zamboni machine with an electric model, the new electric resurfacer will assist the city in reducing greenhouse gases, improve indoor air quality and reduce operating fuel costs, according to Boogaards. He stated that the existing Zamboni is scheduled to be replaced in 2021 as part of the asset management plan. Delivery of a new electric resurfacer will take up to six months for some units, according to Boogaards.
“With the existing expenses for repair of the existing unit, staff estimate a significant saving by replacing the existing unit before the ice season next fall,” stated Boogaards.
Funding sources will include $105,000 from the equipment reserve and $80,000 from the community works fund.
Regarding the other two items, Boogaards stated there is only a slight window of opportunity in June to have work completed for these two projects. Both items must be pre-ordered in advance as they are not regularly stocked, and time is also required to complete a request for pricing. Both items are included in the city’s asset management plan, and funds would come out of the city’s equipment reserve.
At the February 2 committee of the whole meeting, Boogaards said it is essential to give pre-approval because of timing. He said with final approval of the city’s budget in late spring, it will be crowding the window of opportunity for procurement if the equipment is ordered at that time.
Regarding the ice resurfacer, with the cost of repairs to the existing unit, it will be better to get the electric model as soon as possible, said Boogaards. He also mentioned the six month delivery time and improved carbon footprint from operating such equipment.
He said there is a need to get the projects completed in June.
“For those reasons we’re asking for pre-approval to proceed with the three purchases,” said Boogaards.
He said the electric ice resurfacers are so popular now there is a waiting list to get them. The electric unit is more expensive than a natural gas unit, he added, but there is greater value in going electric.
