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Board authorizes $1.75 million Georgette Arena refrigeration replacement despite objections over short notice
Summary
The Board of Aldermen approved a $1,750,260 contract with American Refrigeration (ARC) to replace the refrigeration system at Georgette Arena after extended committee vetting; one alderman voted no citing insufficient time to review documents.
The Board of Aldermen on March 17 authorized the mayor to sign a contract with American Refrigeration Company to replace the refrigeration system at Georgette Arena.
Superintendent Peters and rec department staff described the project as long-running and necessary. Peters said the current refrigeration system dates to 1972 and is well beyond its expected service life. He told the board the new package has about a four-month lead time for equipment and roughly two months to install, which would bring the rink online for the next hockey season. "The refrigeration system that is currently placed is from 1972 ... we are 2 and a half times the life expectancy of this system," Peters said.
Alderman Aldwin Donahue objected to taking up the $1,750,260 contract on 27 hours’ notice and said he would vote no because he had not had sufficient time to review the documents. "I got this on Sunday at 03:46. I don't feel it is right for me as an elected official ... to vote on a contract that I have had in my hands for 27 hours," Donahue said. Supporters said the contract had been vetted in committee for years and that further delay risked losing the current price or delaying the work; committee members noted parts and scheduling meant the city must order soon to meet the construction timetable.
After discussion the board held a roll-call vote. The tally was Heck (yes), Coopoli (yes), Clifford (yes), Whitcomb (yes), Talbot (yes), Motadio (yes), Donahue (no), Gillum (yes), McClure (yes) and Davis (yes). The motion passed 9–1.
Officials said annual revenue for the facility is about $160,000 and that the city expects energy-efficiency improvements from a new package. Peters described an existing yearly maintenance contract of approximately $12,000 for the current system and said ARC will provide startup and midseason inspections as part of the maintenance plan. The project will use funds allocated in the city’s capital plan and bond authorizations; staff noted some bond/process timing would add about a 10-day administrative delay once the contract is signed.
The board action authorizes the mayor to sign the ARC contract and staff will move forward with ordering equipment and scheduling installation.
