The chance of an embarrassing breakdown like what occurred last hockey season increases each day Bashaw continues to push its 26 year-old ice resurfacing machine.
Despite that, Bashaw town council has put off purchasing a replacement pending administration putting out some requests to see if they can garner the best price possible.
At its meeting Oct. 18, council looked over a pair of quotes received with prices coming in ranging from $100,000 to $150,000 — depending on the model and features — for a new machine.
Town foreman Murray Holroyd explained the current unit broke down during a tournament last season and has cost the town thousands in repairs since it was purchased used for $20,000 in 1997. Those repairs began about a year after it came to Bashaw, with the town having to put $16,000 into it and has continued to eat up repair expenses. As recently as last year, thousands more was spent to maintain its operational status while the unit remains close to another breakdown.
“Even talking to the dealership about parts is becoming a nightmare, as they are getting harder and harder to find,” he added.
“One example is we ordered tires in the summer for it and we still don’t know when we will get them. It could go at any time. It’s not like any of our other equipment, if it goes we don’t have any options.”
CAO Theresa Fuller noted staff didn’t recognize how bad the situation had become and issues are being compounded by more interest in ice slots from out of town groups.
“Last year, when it died, it was pretty frustrating,” she stated.
“Do you want to pay upfront and know for the next 10 to 15 years you will have something that will function and be repairable. Or, do we risk buying used and being back in the same boat with repairs?”
Fuller also pointed out the funds to buy the machine could either come from available MSI money or through the town’s accumulated surplus.
Though, that doesn’t necessarily mean a new machine will be making the rounds on the ice. A used unit, that would be at least eight years old, could be had for just under $60,000. However, Holroyd noted used units available are already eight years old which could mean greater expenses down the road on repairs and maintenance.
Staff will also be contacting the four counties — Camrose, Lacombe, Stettler and Ponoka who have a portion of their residents access the arena — to see if they would consider contributing toward the purchase.