BOYLE — The arrival of fall brings with it the installation of ice at the Boyle Millview Recreation Complex. This year, though, both the process and the end result of village and arena staff’s ice-making efforts look different than they have in the past.
“Oh my gosh!” was Village of Boyle councillor Barb Smith’s reaction to the photos of the new rink liner displayed by CAO Warren Griffin during the Sept. 18 council meeting.
Oohs, ahs, and cheers could be heard from the other councillors as they took in the new addition to the facility, a $40,000 investment footed in whole by the village.
As well as being a snazzy addition to the barn-style rink, the new printed vinyl mesh liner also comes with a list of non-aesthetic benefits.
“It’s at least five to seven days when you do paint,” Griffin told councillors. “In the first day, we can have this down and we’ll be building ice, and within another day we’ll be ready to skate on it.”
Councillors and Griffin agreed the time saved on installation, the reduction in energy usage and expenses, and a decrease in paint chemicals entering the sewer lines were well worth the investment.
“This whole system goes against the normal conventions of making ice,” said Griffin. “We’ll be able to run the plant a lot warmer than we’re used to and still have very good, hard ice.”
Other new additions to Boyle’s barn are three livestreaming cameras to the tune of $8,000, so friends and family unable to make games in Boyle can watch from their own homes and communities. Games will be streamed by the village on YouTube for no cost.
Millview’s ice was open for the first skate club session Monday, Sept. 23, and minor hockey began practices Wednesday, Sept. 25.
Athabasca County councillors opted to remove the capital project from their 2024 budget in May.
“I’m opposed to paying 50 per cent for that arena liner,” said county councillor Ashtin Anderson during the May 14 regular meeting.
“The Village of Boyle has put their logo in the middle of the arena liner, twice the size they’re proposing to put ours. I don’t think we should pay 50 percent and then be treated like we’re only putting in 25 per cent.”
