Public Notice: Max McLean Arena and Curling Rink Facility Closures Update

During routine maintenance and monitoring of the Max McLean Ice Plant earlier in January, staff identified a potential ammonia issue that affected both the Max McLean Arena and the Curling Rink. At that time, user groups were notified about the situation and the possibility of service disruptions. Continued monitoring confirmed an ammonia buildup in the brine that circulates beneath the ice surfaces, caused by a failure in the heat exchanger in the ice plant room.

Staff continued to monitor the system closely throughout January and worked with the City’s ice plant maintenance contractor, CIMCO, to review repair options and order parts. The original plan was to complete repairs in February, with only a brief shutdown, so the Max McLean Arena and Curling Rink could remain operational for the rest of the season.

Unfortunately, on February 6, 2026, staff determined the leak had worsened. Based on this updated information and the potential risks to the health and safety of both staff and patrons, the decision was made to shut down the ice plant and surfaces immediately.

After the shutdown, staff worked quickly with user groups to move as much ice time as possible to the City’s other arenas to help reduce disruption.

At a Special Council Meeting on February 10, 2026, Council approved up to $245,000 to repair the system. This includes replacing key parts of the chiller and fully draining, flushing, and replacing the brine in the system.

If repairs and testing are successful, the City will attempt to rebuild the hockey ice surface in early March to accommodate scheduled playoffs and tournaments. The Rose City Curling Club is evaluating the option of rebuilding curling ice if repairs are successful and will advise the City and its user groups once a decision has been made.

At the same time, building and ice plant assessments are underway to help Council determine long term repair or replacement options. The City’s Capital Plan already included a placeholder for an ice plant replacement in 2030, however, depending on the results of the condition assessment, that timeline may be moved forward to 2027.

The safety of residents and staff was, and continues to be, our top priority. The City also recognizes the impact this has on our user groups and appreciates their support and understanding during this unfortunate situation.

More information will continue to be shared as it becomes available.

###

For more information, please contact:
Ryan Poole
General Manager of Community Services
City of Camrose
Phone: 780.672.9195