On Monday, Didsbury Town Council announced that they approved a contract that will see the town move forward with installing a rental unit which will allow ice to be reinstalled at the Didsbury Memorial Complex.
"We are looking forward to welcoming back our facility user groups," stated Mayor Rhonda Hunter. "The leisure ice and curling rink ice, unfortunately, will not be restored due to power capacity at the Memorial Complex, but Council approved the main ice restoration proposal at a Special Council Meeting on January 6, and that surface will be scheduled to open on or before February 1, 2025, she explained.
According to the town, the ice was removed for both arena surfaces and the curling rink at the end of December.
"Council and Administration extend a sincere and heartfelt thank you to all the user groups for their understanding and support during what has been a very impactful situation on all of their members, and their hockey, skating, and curling seasons. We truly understand what this has, meant to you all and, as ardent fans and supporters of recreation in our community and of you all, we feel the loss of the access to our facilities right along with you."
According to a press release, the reason was due to an ammonia leak that was discovered in the condenser unit/cooling tower on the exterior of the facility during regular maintenance of the ice plant.
The condenser was scheduled for replacement in the 2027 budget, but that will now be completed in early 2025.
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