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Council hears recommendation to design ammonia-based ice plant for VFW Arena, with add-alternate to study larger system
Summary
A steering committee recommended an ammonia-based refrigeration system for the VFW Arena and proposed bidding option 2 (addition) with an add-alternate for an oversized option 3 to allow future tie-in to the Blue Line Arena; councilors raised safety and lifecycle-cost questions and requested cost-benefit analysis before a final commitment.
A steering committee recommended the city pursue an ammonia-based refrigeration plant for the VFW Arena and asked council approval to proceed with design and bidding for a mid-size option, with an add-alternate to examine an oversized system that could later be tied into the nearby Blue Line Arena.
Jeremy King said the committee evaluated three options and favored ammonia based on energy efficiency, long-term maintenance and equipment lifespan. He said the options are (1) install an ammonia plant in the existing footprint (roughly $3.5 million), (2) install ammonia with a southeast addition to house equipment and maintenance functions (recommended, roughly $3.6 million), and (3) option 2 with an oversized compressor/chiller (160-ton) to permit a future tie-in to the Blue Line Arena.
King said the committee favors option 2 with an add-alternate for option 3 to allow additional time for homework and a cost-benefit analysis before committing to upsizing. "The recommendation at this point from the steering committee would be to go with option 2 with an ad alternate bid with going for, option 3," he told the council.
Council members and consultants discussed safety trade-offs between ammonia, CO2 and synthetic-blend systems. One councilor said he had heard ammonia is hazardous and mentioned other arenas choosing CO2; King and consultants responded that CO2 has different safety and operational challenges (higher pressure and proprietary components) and that ammonia systems include designed safeguards such as vestibules, diffusers and automatic exhausts if thresholds are exceeded.
Consultants and councilors also discussed lead times (roughly 30 weeks for ammonia components, 40 weeks for synthetic blends), energy efficiency in warmer months for CO2 systems, and the longer equipment life of ammonia plants. Several council members said they wanted a formal cost-benefit analysis comparing the add-alternate (option 3) before making a final selection; King said staff hopes to put an ICE bid package out by September and receive bids by October if council directs design to proceed with the add-alternate.
Next steps: staff recommends authorizing design and bid documents that include option 2 with an add-alternate for option 3 so the city can evaluate bids and a formal cost-benefit analysis; council requested additional vendor comparisons and safety/operational details before final award.
