City staff provided a detailed update Jan. 13 on a temporary rental chiller that has kept the community ice rink operational and outlined repair versus replacement options for aging mechanical equipment.

Scott Braidas, a board member of the Moses Lake Youth Hockey Association, told the council the association is grateful the rental unit kept programs running but does not have a firm shutdown date and would like to keep the rink operational through February into March. Braidas said the association is willing to partner with the city and consider fundraising to cover costs.

City staff reported the short-term rental agreement began Dec. 1 and runs in three 28‑day months; staff said the rental charges are $33,000 per month, or approximately $11,000 per week. Staff said the initial outlay to get the unit to the site and run it for three months totaled about $107,000; a week‑by‑week extension would add about $11,000 per week. Staff also reported a rough order of magnitude from Applied Mechanical: a repair of the failed unit is approximately $180,000 while full replacement estimates were in the $450,000–$500,000 range.

Council members asked whether the city’s insurance would participate. Staff said the insurer was expected to cover a portion of the repair cost but that the deductible is calculated either per horsepower or a $10,000 minimum; exact payout and deductible calculations remain under review. Staff said they will pursue insurance discussions, gather detailed repair versus replace bids, and return with options for council consideration.

The youth hockey group and other stakeholders may seek to partner on fundraising if the council pursues costly repairs or replacement. No final funding decision was made at the Jan. 13 meeting; staff emphasized that any major capital decision would be brought back to the council for review and approval.