10/28/2026
NEW ICE PLANT SUPPORTS SOLID ICE
Residents and user groups at the Dr. Duncan Murray Recreation Centre will benefit from safer, more reliable arena ice thanks to a new 150-ton ammonia ice plant installed in September.
The new ice plant will help provide reliable ice for residents, sports organizations, and community events for up to 30 years. It also includes heat recovery technology that captures waste heat and uses it to help warm water in the Recreation Centre, improving energy efficiency.
"Reliable ice is important to many residents—for hockey, figure skating, public skating, and community events. The new ice plant is safer, more reliable, and more efficient than the old ice plant, and will ensure that our community has ice for many years to come," said Brian LaBerge, Mayor, Town of Hinton.
The previous ice plant housed up to 436 kilograms of ammonia while the new system uses only 40 kilograms. Many of the old ice plant's components posed a high safety risk if they failed, and some replacement parts could take up to 16 weeks to obtain. A major breakdown could have resulted in a long arena closure, lost revenue, and disruptions for local user groups.
Safety has also been improved by moving the ice plant outside the Recreation Centre. In the event of an ammonia leak, the entire facility would no longer need to be evacuated or shut down for an extended period, helping programs and services continue with minimal disruption.
The new ice plant is in a separate building that meets safety and building codes. The facility includes proper lighting, heating, ventilation, and electrical systems. The improved layout makes the equipment easier to access, inspect, and maintain, creating a safer and more efficient workspace for staff.
This project was partially funded by $362,607 in grant funding from the Municipal Climate Change Action Centre through their Community Energy Conservation Program, $1.46 million from the Government of Alberta's Municipal Sustainability Initiative, and $113,551 from Yellowhead County.
The Municipal Climate Change Action Centre is a partnership of Alberta Municipalities, the Rural Municipalities of Alberta, and the Government of Alberta. Funding for the Community Energy Conservation Program was provided by the Government of Alberta.
