Lake of Bays Community Centre is getting a new ice resurfacer.
During the Feb. 10 council meeting, director of parks and facilities Scott MacKinnon presented a staff report requesting funds to replace the Township’s aging ice resurfacer with a new electric model at a cost of $170,000 plus HST.
“Our ice resurface is a 2008. It was purchased in part with the Trillium Foundation. It’s now 18 years old. It has surpassed its life expectancy, both from the industry standard and our capital asset review,” said MacKinnon.
The report states that although the Township Capital Asset Plan originally slated the replacement for 2019, a subsequent risk assessment deferred to the timeline to 2023. At that time, it was officially designated as an immediate priority.
While the purchase of the new ice resurfacer exceeds the 2025 municipal budget allocation of $75,000, the overage will be offset by projected savings in 2026 and balanced through the use of reserves.
MacKinnon recommended the Ice Wolf model from Engo Equipment Sales.
The report highlights several advantages of the new ice resurfacer, including a blade lifespan of 50 to 60 hours and a fast blade change system that can be completed by a single operator in under five minutes.
MacKinnon said the new ice resurfacer not only increases maintenance efficiency but also reduces the risk of injury by limiting exposure to the blade.
As a result, council voted unanimously to approve the acquisition of the new electric ice resurfacer for the Lake of Bays Community Centre.
