Local Ice Rinks Must Spend Big To Meet New Safety Standards
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Minnesota's nearly 200 indoor ice arenas are facing a costly deadline, and state lawmakers say it's time to do something about it.
Ice rinks across the state will have to change their air and cooling systems, and it could cost up to a million dollars each.
Back in 1992, the United States began phasing out certain refrigerants like Freon because they're bad for the environment. A complete ban goes into effect in 2020, and hockey rinks are scrambling to make the change.
As one of Minnesota's legendary arenas, Wakota Arena in South St. Paul spent more than a million dollars to change everything you don't see -- from an electric Zamboni, to a new cooling system using ammonia instead of Freon.
"It is much more efficient," Wakota arena manager Jayson Dwelle said. "It runs better, it runs less often, so it is saving us utilities which is outstanding."
By 2020 the United States will ban environmentally dangerous refrigerants, including those in ice rinks. All 187 Minnesota arenas must modify their systems at a cost of $50,000 to $1,000,000 each.
The rinks must also monitor indoor carbon monoxide levels, and Dwelle says the new rules are leaving them with little guidance.
"They really don't tell you how to maintain it," he said. "They just say you have to maintain adequate quality indoor air standards."
State Senator Jim Metzen is leading an effort at the legislature to help the arenas -- especially in smaller towns-- to make the switch with a bill providing $10 million in loans and grants.
Joel Carlson is with the Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission, and he's been working with cities to update their rinks.
"And it's not just the cities with this issue," he said. "It's all over -- statewide."
South St. Paul passed a special tax referendum to pay for it's arena updates, but smaller cities with aging arenas don't have that ability.
"It doesnt fill all of the gaps, so it's going to take local match and local resources to do it," Carolson said. "But a community without its hockey arena just isn't Minnesotan."
Last December, hockey players and fans were sickened by carbon monoxide poisoning at ice arenas in Fargo and in Wisconsin.
Minnesota standards will require new or retrofitted Zambonis at many arenas, at a cost of $125,000.