REALice Cools Operating Costs at NIC

New device installed at Nanaimo Ice Centre

NEWS RELEASE - Distributed September 29, 2017 12:00 PM

The City of Nanaimo installed a REALice system at the Nanaimo Ice Centre (NIC) in July of this year, creating ice surfaces from cold water as opposed to the traditional method of using hot water. The installation of this new technology has enabled the City to reduce natural gas, electricity and green-house-gas emissions with a savings of approximately $2,000 per month in operating expenses.

With REALice, energy savings occur without the need for maintenance, filters, membranes or additives which motivated Scott Pamminger, Infrastructure Planning and Energy Manager, to make the change. “The capital incentives for the REALice system from FortisBC were also a real encouragement for us," said Scott. “Getting the REALice system seemed like a great opportunity.”

When asked about the quality of the ice using the new system, Scott said “the arena maintenance workers are very happy with the REALice product as it has been creating great quality ice”. The feedback from user groups has all been positive as well. "So far, so good" said arena maintenance worker Rob Pakulak, “the ice seems to be staying more clear, it doesn’t seem to rut up and we are seeing less snow cleared after use”.

Due to the success at NIC, the City of Nanaimo plans to install REALice systems at the Frank Crane and Cliff McNabb Arenas within the next year. According to Pamminger, "we should see additional savings and a significant reduction in energy consumption once all arenas have been outfitted".

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