Council backs monoslope cover for Los Alamos ice rink after months of debate; approves design development

Los Alamos County Council on June 10 voted unanimously to proceed with further design and costing for a monoslope pre‑engineered steel cover for the Los Alamos Ice Rink, to be coordinated with planned floor replacement work.

The council decision follows a multi‑month public planning process and a lengthy council discussion on June 10 that drew dozens of public speakers. Project manager Miguel Jimenez and public‑works staff presented public‑survey results showing strong support for full floor coverage — 72 percent of survey respondents favored a full cover — and recommended a monoslope pre‑engineered steel structure because it was lowest‑cost, durable and met the stated functionality needs: full floor, players’ boxes and spectator coverage and nighttime lighting and power.

Why it matters: Councilors and community members described the rink as an iconic outdoor venue. Supporters — including youth hockey families, the Los Alamos Hockey Association (LAHA), and the Los Alamos Derby roller‑skating league — argued a cover is required to preserve year‑round program use, reduce slushy and unsafe spring‑season ice, and allow tournaments that bring visitors and economic activity. Opponents and some commenters worried a permanent cover would change the character and “view of the stars.” Councilors weighed aesthetics, technical constraints (wind, canyon exposure, drainage) and cost. Staff said the county has $8.485 million in CIP funds committed to the rink program; $2.9 million is encumbered for the new chiller and roughly $5.585 million remains for floor replacement and potential cover work.

Design choice and cost: Staff recommended a pre‑engineered steel design with rigid roof decking in a monoslope geometry. The consultant’s opinion of probable cost for the structural shell alone ranged from about $900,000 to $1.5 million; significant additional expenditures for site work, foundations, stormwater/drainage work and integration with a replaced refrigeration floor were expected. Retractable and custom architected structures were considered but judged substantially more expensive (estimates ranged roughly $4 million to $7 million) and, in staff’s view, harder to maintain. Jimenez cautioned that site footing work and geotechnical investigations remain to be performed.

Public comment and council questions: Dozens of speakers — youth athletes, coaches and leaders from LAHA and Los Alamos Derby — told council that rain, sun exposure and slushy spring ice have led to canceled practices and tournaments. Roller derby representatives said they currently cannot reliably host events and that a cover would allow the league to host travel teams and tournaments. Other residents urged caution to preserve the rink’s outdoor character and night‑sky views. Councilors pressed staff on whether the new chiller might solve some of the problems without a cover; staff said the chiller reduces operational strain but does not eliminate daily solar load and that coordinating cover installation with floor replacement is more cost‑effective than doing the projects separately.

Motion and vote: Councilor Hann moved that the council support further development of a monoslope frame cover structure for the ice rink in conjunction with floor replacement; Councilor Reedy seconded. A roll call produced a unanimous 7–0 vote in favor.

Next steps and direction to staff: Council directed staff to develop scope, refined cost estimates, engineering (including geotechnical borings and drainage planning), and a schedule that would integrate a new floor replacement with the proposed cover. Staff will return with more detailed design, budget and timeline. The council noted that any final construction funding would require separate appropriation action.

Ending: Supporters hailed the vote as a step toward stabilizing rink operations and expanding year‑round programming; opponents said they expected staff to continue community engagement and sensitivity to aesthetics as plans proceed.