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Frank Southern ice arena closed after ammonia gasket failure; staff outlines repair and replacement options
Summary
Parks staff told the Bloomington Board of Park Commissioners that a March 10 gasket failure caused an ammonia leak and closed Frank Southern Ice Arena for the season; staff estimated immediate repairs at $30,000–$50,000 and outlined three long-term options ranging from a $1.2 million system retrofit to a $12 million-plus new facility. Residents urged an interim plan and broad stakeholder engagement.
Parks staff presented an informational report on the aging Frank Southern Ice Arena and the March 10 gasket failure that set off alarms, forced an evacuation and closed the arena for the season.
“We estimate the cost at approximately $15,000” to address the GAP analysis items, staff said, and described a broader set of repairs they estimate at “somewhere between 30 and $50,000.” Operations and facilities staff described the March 10 incident: “On March 10, a gasket failed, leaking ammonia, setting off the alarm and kicking on the ventilation system,” and later said, “The ammonia was pumped out of the floor back into the tank and the arena was closed for the ice season.” Those observations were part of an informational presentation, not a request for a vote.
Parks staff described three long-term options developed with an international rink consultant: abandon and build a new…
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