Recreation facilities typically use more energy and produce more GHG emissions than any other municipal facilities. Ice rinks in particular, traditionally use hot water (associated with higher energy use) for ice arena maintenance which contains less micro air bubbles, producing higher quality ice. The REALice system acts like hot water, but without the same heating expense. As a result, the rinks no longer need to heat the floodwater to extremely high temperatures, saving on energy.
The REALice water treatment system, installed in April 2020, was an investment of $35,318 with a 71% contribution from MCCAC. The system uses an in-line hydraulic device that strips entrained micro-bubbles and removes precipitates from the water that detract from ice quality. The Fenlands will use cold water to maintain the arena ice. As such, cold water will decrease the hot water demand on the building, reducing gas consumption of the boiler system, and electricity consumption of the compressors to keep the ice surface cool.
