Photo: Bashaw Concrete representatives stated Dec. 17 a problem with the Bashaw arena ice plant was related to lack of maintenance and neglect by town staff and cited as evidence log books kept at the arena. Rural Alberta Report/Screenshot

The Town of Bashaw council heard a presentation that arena repairs that were originally done by free-of-charge volunteers will now cost money. The presentation was made at the Dec. 17 regular meeting of council.

A presentation was made in person by Bashaw Concrete representatives Chad Hildebrandt and Dallas Bergstrom, who also provided councillors with a detailed written report on repairs that the company made to the local arena; the pair also stated they each have engineering expertise. Last fall the town became aware of issues with the ice making plant after skating ice seemed softer than acceptable in at least one spot.

According to the written report and comments made at the council meeting Bashaw Concrete met with town officials on Sept. 24 and signed an agreement to perform repairs to the arena at cost to the company; however, as the two began their presentation they stated that after they discovered why the ice plant was ailing, they changed their minds about doing work free of charge. The pair stated the problem was related to lack of maintenance and neglect by town staff and cited as evidence log books kept at the arena.

“Reviews of the data logs show the problem began in Sept., 2024 where pump pressures dropped significantly from 30 pounds per square inch (PSI) to 15 PSI which indicates a problem,” noted Bashaw Concrete's written report. It was stated several times at the council meeting 30 PSI is the proper operating pressure for the ice plant at the Bashaw arena.

The pair stated that that the problem with the ice plant was low coolant, and it had been low for about 16 months but apparently no town staff noticed. However, they stated in their written report the ice plant was successfully repaired by correcting airflow issues, restoring pump performance, clearing venting restrictions and restoring proper brine levels.

“The rink is fully operational and ice installation was completed without complications,” stated the Bashaw Concrete written report. “Continued monitoring is advised during early-season operation.”

The pair stated in their presentation, however, that after they spent many hours working on the problem and discovering it was a maintenance and neglect issue, they decided they wanted reimbursement for their time; they provided a breakdown of work performed and hours required. The pair stated they were originally fine with volunteering but upon discovering the issue, they became frustrated.

An invoice was submitted for $19,240 worth of labour that also included an invoice for $14,965 worth of materials.

Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Theresa Fuller responded that town staff missed the PSI issue in the log books.

Mayor Cindy Orom asked what agreement was made when the town and Bashaw Concrete agreed to move forward on this project. Coun. Kyle McIntosh looked up a resolution councillors passed and it stated the work would be done at Bashaw Concrete’s expense.

The pair pointed out Bashaw Concrete originally stepped up because it was thought the ice plant had failed, and if a tendering process was used to repair the arena it could take two to six months to get repairs completed, threatening the entire skating season.

During discussion Mayor Orom stated that she wasn’t trying to be adversarial, but wanted to ensure new members of council understand everything that happened. Orom also thanked Bashaw Concrete representatives for the work they did, adding the public was grateful too.

During discussion councillors observed that the problem seemed to be caused by town staff and the town would be on the hook for material costs at least.

Councillors passed three resolutions: to pay Bashaw Concrete’s invoice for $14,965 worth of materials, to table until a Jan. council meeting the labour invoice for more information and develop operating guidelines for the arena and ice plant for town staff to follow.