A request from Yorkton Minor Hockey requesting the City put ice into the Kinsmen Arena earlier this fall was rejected by Yorkton Council at its regular meeting Monday.
"Yorkton Minor Hockey has submitted a request to begin using the Kinsmen Arena on August 20th of this year to accommodate various pre-season skills and conditioning camps as well as team tryouts," explained Darcy McLeod, Director of Community Development, Parks and Recreation.
McLeod said the request was one which could be accommodated, but earlier operation creates added issues for the facility.
"The Kinsmen Arena has the capability of making ice virtually any time of the year, there are consequences to this given the current lack of building dehumidification. The sooner the plant is started in the summer, the longer the staff are required to correct the damage done to the ice that occurs overnight," he said.
"Earlier start-up also extends the period of time that the building structure is exposed to high humidity levels. This increases the effects of corrosion, and mould and mildew build up in the arena. As we move into the fall these issues are reduced because the outside air is usually cooler and drier."
A report from McLeod circulated to Council Monday detailed some of the reasons humidity is such an issue at the Kinsmen Arena.
"The type of building that houses the arena has an effect on humidity levels. Steel and metal conduct heat and cold so the moist air is attracted to the steel supports for the roof as well as the metal roof itself. The low e-ceiling in the arena does provide some assistance to deal with humidity by minimizing the transfer of heat between a warm metal roof and the cool air below. Concrete block walls need to be well-insulated as well to prevent cool inside air from contacting a warmer outside wall. The status of the insulation throughout the building is unknown and may play a role in the humidity issue as well because as insulation becomes saturated, it loses its effectiveness," detailed the report.
A dehumidifier would address the situation, suggested McLeod, but it has not been a budget priority so far.
"Each year Administration provides their capital project priority list for Council consideration. The Kinsmen Arena dehumidification system did not make this list for the 2011 budget and was forwarded for placement in the overall City Facility Assessment. A consultant review of the building envelope will be submitted to the 2012 budget with the recommended improvements submitted to the 2013 budget," he said.
If Council were to install a dehumidification system this year, Administration would need to find money to fund it from the existing budget, he added.
Councillor Les Arnelien wanted to know the cost of a dehumidifier for the arena.
McLeod said they have previously had two quotes, one at $40,000, the other at $70,000, the difference being the volume of air the units move.
"We're not quite sure which one we need to land on yet," said McLeod, adding they need to determine the air volumes which need to be moved.
Regardless of the start-up timeframe, the lack of a dehumidification system will mean some inconveniences for participants and spectator; and may include and has included in the past:
water falling from the low-e ceiling and stalagmites forming on the ice causing delays in ice use as staff make repairs ensuring it is safe to use.
fog creating unsafe use of the ice surface and causing delays.
water dropping on participants and spectators.
puddles forming throughout the seating area.
arena glass fogging over and constantly wet.
"If we don't put in the dehumidifier why would we use the facility?" questioned Coun. Richard Okrainec, adding it did not seem wise if there was a risk to operations.
McLeod said issues such as mould and mildew are "controllable" and they have worked with Public Health to ensure it is safe.
"It's not a matter of being unsafe. It's a matter of the work required to keep it safe," he said.
"We would never let anyone in there if it was unsafe."
McLeod said the issue of humidity is on the City's radar.
"The Community Development, Parks and Recreation Committee has reviewed this request as well as discussed the humidity issue. The members believe minimizing the impact of humidity on the facility is important to maintain a safe environment for youth and families to enjoy their chosen activities. They also feel that a plan needs to be in place to address the humidity issue so that the facility is protected and maintained, is as accessible as possible, and can be fully utilized year round regardless of whether it is the ice surface or a dry surface," he said.
Coun. Chris Wyatt said the Minor Hockey request is the second in recent years for earlier ice at the Kinsmen Arena.
"I think we should just get it done," he said.
Mayor James Wilson said the humidity issue is one "we've been hearing about for some time," adding "at some point in time we need to take action."
However, Wilson said City facilities are currently part of an Asset Assessment process, and suggested they should wait to see where the Kinsmen Arena needs comes out in the overall scope of City-owned buildings.
With the humidity issue City Administration's recommendation was that Council authorize Administration to have ice available for public use on Saturday, September 3rd.
The recommendation was passed with only Coun. Ross Fisher opposed.
As an additional action City Manager David Putz suggested Administration be directed to find funds in this year's budget to pay for a study of the Kinsmen Arena to determine its exact needs regarding proper dehumidification, including issues such as wall insulation. Having the study carried out now would allow the work to be part of the 2012 budget.
Council directed Administration to undertake the study process.
