The Los Alamos County Ice Rink. Courtesy/LAC

COUNTY News:

Opening day for the Los Alamos County Ice Rink is delayed due to a faulty motor in the new chiller. The motor experienced an internal short circuit during performance testing conducted by Modern Mechanical Ices Systems (MMIS), the chiller designer-builder.

MMIS was onsite at the time of the incident, and although a fire was detected inside the motor frame, they were able to react quickly to prevent any damage to the chiller or the facility.

Repairs are anticipated within the week, allowing for an estimated new opening day of Nov. 28.

The new chiller arrived in May of this year and was installed over the summer months, replacing the temporary chiller in place for the 2023-2025 seasons.

MMIS and R & M construction, the project contractor, were able to quickly secure a replacement motor from the manufacturer, and the installation of the new motor is anticipated by the end of the week. MMIS staff will be on site to verify the installation and start up the chiller on Nov. 11. If the startup process goes well, MMIS will hand over the chiller operations to the Los Alamos County Ice Rink staff on Nov. 12 to begin the ice building process.

This two-week process involves late-night facility operations to ensure colder temperatures. Weather permitting, the new anticipated opening day is Nov. 2. The official opening day will be confirmed and announced as soon as more information becomes available. 

Staff is assessing the Ice Rink schedule to lessen the impacts on local organizations and accommodate the Try Hockey for Free Day event, and although Session One of skating lessons will be canceled due to the delayed opening, staff will contact those already registered and offer to move them to Session Two.

For more information, please contact Brendan Tuning at brendan.tuning@losalamosnm.gov or call 505.663.8170.