HomeMy WebLinkAbout15.A.2. Replacement of Ice Arena Compressor
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CITY OF SHAKO PEE
MEMORANDUM CONSE'~T
To: Mayor and City Council
Mark McNeill, City Administrator
From: Joshua Barrick, Recreation Supervisor
Subject: Replacement of Ice Arena Compressor
Date: October 15, 2003
INTRODUCTION
Compressor A2 in the ice arena system recently failed and will require replacement. City
Council is asked to approve replacement.
BACKGROUND
On October 7, compressor A2 in the four-compressor system failed. I contacted Brian
Holsten of Custom Refrigeration, formally of Rink - Tec International. Brian and I
proceeded to investigate and found metal shavings in the oil of A2. We both concurred
that the compressor piston cracked along with possible bearing failure. The compressor
that failed is the last original compressor remaining in the system, and is no longer under
warranty.
As some of you may recall, we replaced two compressors during the summer of 2000,
along with replacing a compressor in June of 2003. We believe all of the four original
compressors have failed prematurely, primarily due to several years of inefficient cooling
tower operation. (Continual calcium buildup in the cooling tower from the City's water
limited heat dissipation and caused the compressors to operate at higher head pressure
and for more time then they would normally.) The City replaced the cooling tower in
2001 and installed additional water treatment, and the compressors are now operating
more efficiently.
All four compressors are needed in order to effectively make ice and to achieve
maximum longevity from the compressors. We currently cycle our compressors so that
not one individual compressor is used. Four compressors also assure us that we will
have quality ice during the busy months of operation.
Two quotations have been received for labor and materials associated with replacing the
compressor:
1. Rink Tech International: $ 7114.81
2. Custom Refrigeration: $ 5,937.70
BUDGET IMPACT
This is an unbudgeted expenditure that will be funded from the Recreation Fund.
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ALTERNATIVES
1. Direct staff to authorize Custom Refrigeration to replace the compressor.
2. Direct staff to authorize another contractor to replace the compressor.
ACTION REOUESTED
Move to direct staff to authorize Custom Refrigeration to replace compressor A2 at a
cost of $5,937.70.
LLI
~ Barrick
Recreation Supervisor.