Town officials say rink repairs remain underway; staff and vendors aim for limited ice this season

Town of Taos staff and industry vendors told the council on Aug. 12 they expect to have some ice available this season but cautioned that a full, permanent rebuild of the rink system will extend into next year.

Parks and recreation director Melissa Vigil and ice-plant vendor Simcoe technician Hunter McGannan briefed the council and a roomful of youth hockey families about three parallel strategies: (1) repair and restart the existing compressor system and build ice when roofing and safety conditions allow; (2) use a temporary portable rink or mat system; or (3) pursue a complete demolition and replacement of the concrete slab and ice plant.

"We are capable of having ice this season," Simcoe's Hunter McGannan said, adding that technicians are planning to "make our best effort at having a sheet that is as solid and safe for your youth to play on as we possibly can." Vigil and vendor representatives said that each option carries trade-offs for ice quality, cost and lead time.

Why it matters: The rink fire of Aug. 3, 2024, and subsequent water intrusion revealed underlying slab and refrigeration issues that senior staff say contributed to recurring poor ice quality before the fire. Families and youth athletes told the council they have already borne travel and cost burdens while the facility remained offline.

What staff reported - State allocation on the agenda: Director Emmanuel (ice rink lead) said $1,215,000 from the state legislature appeared on the meeting agenda; those monies are intended for rink replacement and related equipment. Staff said the funds could buy a portion of the replacement ice plant and cooling tower, both of which have roughly 12-month lead times. - Roof permitting and schedule: Contractors from AAA Restoration are ready to begin work but the project requires architects to produce stamped as-built plans; staff said the architects are not available on-site until Aug. 19. AAA estimates a 12-to-16-week construction schedule once work starts. Town staff said conditional approval for limited demolition was granted, but full roof replacement awaits permitting and final insurer approval. - Temporary options: Staff reviewed a leisure-style portable rink (quoted about $195,000), synthetic-ice proposals (quotes ranged $250,000'$800,000), and a portable mat system that integrates with the town's compressor room but would require additional site work and a liner. Each option carries limitations: many are practice-only, require significant site prep, or demand extra maintenance. - Subsurface and slab concerns: High-frequency floor scans completed after the fire showed localized subsurface issues and inconsistencies that can soften ice in certain zones; vendors said those areas complicate consistent ice quality and increase liability risk.

Community reaction Dozens of hockey players, parents and alumni addressed the council during the meeting. Fifteen-year-old player Sofia Trevino urged faster action, saying delayed ice time affects prospects and daily life: "This isn't just about a rink. It's about our futures," she said. Multiple speakers asked the town to prioritize transparent, regular updates and to explore ways to reduce costs for families if limited ice is offered this season.

Next steps and caveats Staff said they are ready to begin ice building as soon as roofing contractors clear the interior and compressors are brought online; Simcoe said staff training and vendor support are ready. However, officials cautioned that available ice could be limited to colder parts of the day and weeks, and that safety and ambient temperature will determine daily availability. A full plant and slab replacement will require additional funding and longer construction timelines.

The council did not take a separate vote on rink construction at this meeting; the update was informational and followed public comment, and staff committed to returning with further schedules and cost estimates once bids and permits progress.