Council approves purchase and installation of new ice-rink compressor after earlier failure

Garden City — The Garden City City Council approved the purchase and installation of a new Bitzer compressor for the city ice arena after staff said the existing unit failed.

The council voted 7-0 to buy a CSH 7,563 Bitzer compressor from Servais Refrigeration (low bidder) for $26,582 and to contract Tech Mechanical to install it for $10,559.50.

Ice rink supervisor Mike Downey (identified as the presenter) said three sealed bids were solicited and Servais Refrigeration was the lowest. Councilmembers asked whether the new unit is an upgraded model and whether a warranty or maintenance program exists. Downey said the replacement is the same model type but being procured from a different supplier; the new unit carries a standard one-year warranty.

Councilmembers discussed past failures and whether the city should pursue warranty remedies with the original vendor. One councilmember noted the city would ask the district manager for maintenance and repair history to determine if vendor responsibility applies. Downey said the original compressor system was purchased in 2018 and that the department is working to set up routine maintenance checks with Tech Mechanical.

The motion to approve the compressor purchase was moved by Councilmember Cara Fotis and seconded; the motion passed 7-0.

Ending: Staff said they will pursue documentation of the compressor’s maintenance history and potential warranty recovery while arranging routine maintenance checks to reduce future downtime.