McArthur Island Chiller Upgrade Brings Big Efficiency Gains

A recently completed major upgrade to the refrigeration system at the McArthur Island Sports and Event Centre is helping the City operate the facility more efficiently while reducing the amount of ammonia needed to keep the ice rinks running.

The chiller replacement project is a great example of how investing in modern infrastructure can deliver long-term benefits for both the facility and the community.

By the numbers:

  • 50% less ammonia: The new refrigeration system uses approximately half the ammonia of the previous system, reducing the charge from about 1,800 pounds to approximately 900 pounds.
  • 10–20% lower electricity costs: The new chillers will reduce the electricity needed to operate the refrigeration system by approximately 10–20%.
  • 15–18% more efficient compressors in the future: A future compressor replacement will provide an additional 15–18% improvement in compressor operating efficiency and could achieve an additional 10% system operating electrical savings. 
  • 50% ammonia system charge reduction: An additional 50% ammonia system charge reduction could be achieved with the replacement of the aging condenser, utilizing new plate-and-frame type technology, which allows the heat reclaim system to operate at maximum efficiency. 
  • 30–40% potential electrical cost savings: When future improvements are combined with the new chillers, the City could see significant long-term reductions in electricity costs, with potential overall savings estimated at 30–40%.

The new chillers are better at transferring heat, allowing the refrigeration system to work more efficiently. They also allow the system to operate more effectively during busy events, when the rinks are full and demand is higher.

For the community, much of this work happened behind the scenes, and the goal was simple: keep the rinks cold, reliable, and ready for the community while using less energy and fewer resources.

The project also sets the facility up for future improvements. As aging refrigeration equipment reaches the end of its useful life, replacing it with more efficient technology will help the City continue to reduce energy use and operating costs.

Investments like the McArthur Island Sports and Event Centre Chiller Replacement Project help ensure City facilities work smarter today and are ready for the needs of the community tomorrow.