An example of a mono-slope ice rink cover structure that Los Alamos County is considering for its ice rink. This particular structure is at the Sun Peaks Mountain Resort Ice Rink in British Columbia. Courtesy/LAC

BY KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com

For years, it has been discussed, brainstormed and campaigned for, but finally the Los Alamos County Ice Rink is approved to get a shade structure.

Council unanimously approved during its regular meeting June 10 to move forward with a mono-slope framed, pre-engineered steel structure. The cost for this roofing is expected to be between $900,000 to $1.5 million.

There are several reasons why there has been such an ongoing push for a covered structure at the rink, Project Manager Miguel Jimenez said.

“County staff … and the community has been facing persistent issues that limit the usability of the ice rink,” he said. “These issues are related to the ice loss to sun load, the skating season and also we have issues with sun and rain exposure during the summer months.”

Plus, with a new chiller system about to be installed and the rink floor scheduled to be replaced in the coming year, Jimenez said “we believe this is a timely opportunity to reassess the possibility of adding a covered structure at the ice rink.”

Based on community feedback as well as the cost and ease of maintenance, Jimenez said a mono-slope, pre-engineered steel structure with rigid roof decking is the recommendation.

“This structure offers complete functionality, it is durable and offers the least cost and effort to maintain,” he said.

To gage what the public wanted, there was extensive outreach performed. Jimenez said there were several listening sessions, public meetings, two surveys and press releases.

The response from the surveys, which in total garnered approximately 1,200 responses, the mono-slope steel structure was the preferred option. As far as what could be done to make the structure more attractive, some respondents suggested artwork, aesthetic enhancements such as lighting, a scoreboard and a sound system as well as sustainable elements such as solar panels.

Public support continued during the June 10 meeting; many spoke about the unsafe conditions when the sun softens portions of the ice, or when roller derby players are exposed to weather. Others mentioned that hockey and other activities’ seasons have been negatively impacted by the quality of ice.

Not everyone was so sure; Council Vice Chair Suzie Havemann asked about year-round use at the rink.

Jimenez explained that the roller derby groups use the rink in the spring through fall and the County’s Community Services Department hosts roller skating at the rink.

Community Services Department Director Cory Styron added having a shade structure could open up even more opportunities at the rink.

There are untapped markets to consider, he said.

“We do not have in this community a large, covered space for events … either (for) community social events, private events…,” Styron said.

Havemann also wondered about waiting to pursue a covered structure until the new chiller is installed to see if that resolves any of the issues.

Jimenez noted that the ice rink staff battles the sun 11 out of the 19 weeks of the ice season and the current chiller runs a load capacity during the day. While the new chiller will do better, it is not going to completely wipe away the sun’s impacts. Plus, he said with the rink’s floor scheduled to be replaced, this is really the time to install the roof.

At the core, Havemann said she was worried the roof would eliminate what makes the rink unique – being a completely open-air facility.

“I love this rink,” she said. “It is near and dear to me, and I love what it offers our community, and I love how happy people are when they come from out of town to play here.”

Styron said he felt the roof would not take something away from the rink but add to it.

“Changing this up we give it another cool appeal,” he said.

He added that it would be a venue that the County can use significantly more often.

Havemann said she did recognize that this is what most people want and ultimately voted to proceed with the roof.

Other councilors showed their support for the covered structure, too.

“I am aware of the cover for the ice rink has been mentioned as a need for at least 10 years … but with increasing temperatures every year this rare and unique outdoor ice rink could become unusable for ice skating in years ahead,” Councilor Melanee Hand said. “Considering we have opportunities to use this outdoor space throughout the year, and a protective cover would increase its use, I support what the citizens of this community are saying and respect the recommendation from the Parks and Rec board … it’s time we moved this project forward.”

Randall Ryti agreed, saying, “It does help with the problem with the ice … (I) just would like to see us move forward …”

With the council’s approval, Jimenez said in his presentation that next steps will be to further develop the scope, cost and schedule for design and construction for the project.

In other business, council:

• Approved 6-1 with Councilor David Reagor opposed, the new electric rates for the Department of Public Utilities. There will be a 9 percent increase in Fiscal Year 2026, starting in July, and another 8 percent increase in Fiscal Year 2027. Reagor opposed the new rate saying it will hurt low- and middle-income residents and cheaper energy should be explored.
• Approved 6-1 with Councilor David Reagor opposed, the new sewer rates for the Department of Public Utilities. There will be a 7 percent increase in Fiscal Year 2026 and another 7 percent increase in Fiscal Year 2027. Reagor said he felt the council was just rubber stamping every rate increase being proposed.
• Unanimously approved to provide on a reimbursement basis $2.7 million from the Regional Strategic Fund to Rio Arriba County for its Skilled Nursing Home.
• Unanimously approved to purchase property in Sherwood Village in White Rock for $927,470. The purpose is to re-align Longview Drive. According to the staff report, the realignment will help achieve the goal of creating a “complete street” on Longview Drive, meaning widened sidewalks, streetscape amenities such as seating, landscaping, lighting, signage, shade, bike racks and public parking. In addition to building a new public road, the County will demolish the existing buildings to make way for new, higher density and mixed use development. The County will not develop anything on the property besides the road and public improvements. It was reported during the council meeting that the property will be sold back to one of the existing owners.