HomeMy WebLinkAboutCS 11-21Report to
Council
Report Number: CS 11-21
Date: January 25, 2021
From: Brian Duffield
(Acting) Director, Community Services
Subject: Pre-budget Approval - Don Beer Arena, Rink 3 Refrigeration Plant Upgrades
(Phase 1)
-File: A-1440
Recommendation:
1.That Report CS 11-21 from the (Acting) Director, Community Services for pre-budget
approval of the Rink 3 Refrigeration Plant Rebuild at Don Beer Arena be received;
2.That Council grant pre-2021 Capital Budget approval and authorize the Director, Finance &
Treasurer to fund the sum of $240,000.00 from Federal Gas Tax (FGT) Reserve Fund; and,
3.That the appropriate City of Pickering officials be authorized to take the necessary action to
give effect hereto.
Executive Summary: In light of an incident in Fernie, British Columbia in 2017, which cost 3
workers their lives, the City has been reviewing the status of all of its arena refrigeration plants for
compliance with applicable codes and standards. An engineering review of the refrigeration plant
serving Rink 3 at Don Beer Arena, received from TS Engineering Inc. in December 2020, has
identified several remedial repairs and recommended the replacement of equipment deemed to be
at the end of its useful life. The plant is currently functional and can be maintained until the end of
the current ice season, but the recommended work must be completed before it can resume
operation for the next ice season. Design work must begin immediately if there is to be any
chance of meeting this timeline, and the work must be tendered early enough to allow for the
prompt ordering of any equipment with long lead times for delivery. Pre-budget approval is being
requested to make available the required funds to proceed with this project, as waiting for the
anticipated approval of the 2021 Capital Budget would make it impossible to complete the work in
time for the 2021-22 ice season.
Estimated costs for the project include $30,000.00 for related consulting and $210,000.00 for
construction, including related contingencies, inspection, and related project costs. The total
estimated project cost of $240,000.00 (net HST rebate) is to be funded from Federal Gas Tax .
A second phase of equipment replacements identified by TS Engineering Inc.’s report will appear
in the capital forecast budget for future consideration. The equipment noted for replacement in the
second phase was deemed to have several more years of serviceable life.
CS 11-21 January 25, 2021
Subject: Pre-Budget Approval – DBA, Rink 3 Refrigeration Plant Upgrades (Phase 1) Page 2
Financial Implications:
1.Sourced of Funds
Approved Code
5715.2104.6230
5715.2104.6500
Prof/Consulting Fees
Building Related
Source of Funds
Federal Gas Tax
Federal Gas Tax
Total Funds
2021 Budget
$ 30,000.00
210,000.00
$240,000.00
Discussion: Following the release of the final report investigating the 2017 deaths of 3
workers at Fernie Memorial Arena, staff began a preventative safety and maintenance review of
the City’s existing refrigeration plants. Work completed on the Delaney Arena plant at the
Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex (CHDRC) in 2016 had already addressed any
outstanding concerns. Additional work was completed in 2019 on the O’Brien Arena plant at
CHDRC, as well as the single plant serving Rinks 1 and 2 at Don Beer Arena. Both were the result
of findings from these condition assessments. A review of the final plant, serving rink 3 at Don
Beer Arena, was completed after the replacement of dehumidification equipment in that rink in late
2020.
The resulting report identifies a number of improvements required, including upgrades to existing
ventilation and the replacement of an existing condenser, pump, and piping. Existing use can be
maintained through to the end of the current season, but this work must be completed before the
refrigeration plant can resume operations for the 2021-22 season. The Rink 3 refrigeration plant is
typically started in mid-August, though this could be pushed back to early September if other pads
are available.
Once awarded, design work is expected to take 6-8 weeks to complete, to be followed by a formal
tender process. There is typically a significant lag time while awaiting the delivery of major
equipment on these types of projects. While this normally ranges from 10-12 weeks, the current
pandemic has significantly impaired and caused delays to supply chains, and could extend this
timeline. Staff will explore options to mitigate the risk of long lead times for delivery.
Rink 3 at Don Beer Arena was constructed in 2002. Most of the addition’s major systems are in
fair to good condition. Mechanical equipment experiences the greatest wear in these types of
facilities and typically starts to reach end of life in the 20-25 year range. The findings of the report
provided by TS Engineering Inc. are consistent with these expectations.
CS 11-21 January 25, 2021
Subject: Pre-Budget Approval – DBA, Rink 3 Refrigeration Plant Upgrades (Phase 1) Page 3
Prepared By: Approved/Endorsed By:
Vince Plouffe Brian Duffield
Manager, Facilities Capital Projects (Acting) Director, Community Services
Stan Karwowski, MBA, CPA, CMA
Director, Finance & Treasurer
BD:vp
Recommended for the consideration
of Pickering City Council
Marisa Carpino, M.A.
Interim Chief Administrative Officer
Original Signed By: Original Signed By:
Original Signed By:
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