Cliff McNabb Arena Reopens

August 17, 2012- After a summer of renovations Cliff McNabb Arena will reopen Monday, August 20th to the public. The seventeen year old arena saw an extensive list of upgrades this summer including; updates to the ice plant to improve the energy efficiency and to meet required safety standards, an overhaul of its ventilation system, a new steel roof and insulation, an enclosed melt pit modeled after the one installed at Frank Crane Arena, improvements to the dressing rooms including heat, shower replacements, and new rubber flooring. Visitors to the facility will also notice the interior has been repainted.

“The project went very well with a dedicated team of consultants and contractors working together to achieve a tight building envelope and efficient plant operation. We are looking forward to seeing the public back in the building and having all four ice rinks back in operation,” explains Darcie Osborne, Manager of Arenas for the City of Nanaimo.

A number of the upgrades made have improved the building’s energy efficiency, which were in part funded by a grant from BC Hydro’s Power Smart Program.

“The arena upgrade project included renewing the refrigeration plant with state of the art equipment which will result in a longer service life; the unit includes a high efficiency plate and frame heat exchanger, more energy efficiency, and safer operation. We also installed a new brine pump with variable speed drive and computer control program. This type of heat exchanger is the first of its kind in Western Canada,” explains Eric Bradley, engineer with Bradley Refrigeration Consultants.

An ‘Everyone Welcome’ skate and celebration will be held on September, 11 at the arena. More details will be made available closer to the date. For information about skate times and arena bookings please call 250 756 5200 or view the latest Activity Guide.

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