Rocky View County is contributing $190,000 towards the purchase of an ice resurfacing machine for the two future arenas at Airdrie’s Genesis Place.
“Genesis Place is a very valuable recreation resource for Rocky View residents and these new rinks will be a great benefit,” said Reeve Rolly Ashdown in a prepared statement after council approved the funding, Nov. 6.
The twin arenas, now under construction, will be open 364 days a year, 17 hours a day and it’s expected 6,500 county and 7,000 Rocky View School students will use Genesis Place on an annual basis, according to staff report.
The City of Airdrie began work on the $22-million project last year after the community needs assessment showed residents felt more ice services were needed. The project is the third and final expansion for the regional recreation centre.
The funding request for an ice resurface machine came from the Airdrie Regional Enhancement Society (ARRES), a charitable organization established to help with the continued development of Genesis Place.
The machine is expected to save $4,000 a year in operating costs as there will be no need to order propane tanks for the new DC-powered resurfacer.
The County will be recognized for its contribution via signage to be placed on the ice machine.
“I think it’s tremendous,” said Airdrie Mayor Peter Brown. He said the county contributed close to $2 million towards capital costs for phase one and two of Genesis Place.
“We are very grateful to have such great neighbours.”
