Q: What prompted the change in your refrigeration system?

A: The primary reason for replacing the system was to address health and safety concerns and related financial challenges. We were dealing with repeated equipment failures – our plate and frame heat exchanger was failing, and we had ongoing issues with the condensers. These problems were resulting in increasing repair and maintenance costs and creating risks of service disruptions. Safety concerns were growing, too, which is something we take very seriously.

Q: When you started looking for a replacement system, what were your priorities?

A: We had a pretty clear picture of what we needed. First off, seamless integration was essential – the new system had to work well with our existing building systems, from the electrical infrastructure to waste heat reclamation and building automation.

We were also keen on reducing utility costs, so a system that could transfer more waste heat throughout the facility and cut down on electricity consumption was definitely appealing.

The approach was important too – we preferred a design-build solution since that was crucial for achieving our priorities. Utilizing a contractor that could also provide reliable service was another key priority. And of course, we needed equipment that would address the issues we'd been having with the existing heat exchanger, condensers, and other components that had been causing problems.

Q: How did you first hear about our Eco Chill solution, and what made you decide it was the right fit?

A :We'd seen the Eco Chill system in action at other facilities across the province, so it was on our radar. What sold us was finding a solution that could address all our priorities simultaneously. We wanted both design and installation from a prime contractor, and the system had to integrate perfectly with what we already had in place.

We've been working with CIMCO for several years now on preventative maintenance and various capital projects at both our arena facilities. It's been a positive relationship – your mechanics and project staff are knowledgeable in industry regulations, best practices, while maintaining professionalism throughout.

Q: Can you tell us a bit about how the procurement process worked, and what the collaboration was like during the proposal stage?

A:  

The project was awarded to Cimco by Woolwich Council through a cooperative purchasing program. During the proposal preparation, we worked closely with your team to ensure that cost estimates and efficiencies were properly included.

What I appreciated was CIMCO's transparency – you shared information about other projects that had been awarded through competitive bidding, which gave us confidence in the value we were getting.

Q: Since installation, how has the Eco Chill system improved efficiency, performance, and daily operations?

A: It's exceeded our expectations. Our existing plant was already connected with other building systems, but during the design process, we discovered the Eco Chill could achieve even greater efficiencies.

When the Woolwich Memorial Centre was built in 2009, it included energy-efficient features, including waste heat recovery from the refrigeration plant. However, the Eco Chill built upon this – it provides higher-grade waste heat at a more consistent temperature, which has opened doors for us to expand heat recovery to equipment and areas of the building we couldn’t reach before.

We've also seen a drop in our electricity consumption and costs, which is always welcome news. The cooling performance is noticeably better too. We can really fine-tune ice temperatures to match the needs or our different user groups, whether for sledge hockey or special events.

From an operations standpoint, it's given our facility team greater peace of mind. We're dealing with fewer equipment issues and less downtime, which means better service delivery across the whole facility.

Q: How does the Eco Chill system align with your broader sustainability goals?

A: We're working with CIMCO right now on a Pathway to Net Zero Feasibility Study. The goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at the Woolwich Memorial Centre in line with the reduction targets our Council has adopted. The Eco Chill is a significant step in that direction.

Q: Based on your experience, would you recommend the Eco Chill system to other facility operators?

A: Yes, whether your building a new rink or replacing an existing system like we did, the Eco Chill can be customized to meet specific needs. For us, it hit all the priorities we had identified and addressed the unique requirements of our facility

Q: Looking toward the future, what are your long-term goals for the Woolwich Memorial Centre?

A: Our number one priority is continuing to provide exceptional service to everyone who uses our facility – that includes hockey players, swimmers, seniors, and the general public who come for various programs. To do that well, we need to maintain both cleanliness and the functionality of all our building systems, from the refrigeration plant to the boiler system and pool.

The facility is approaching 16 years, which means we're starting to look at end-of-life replacements for several key assets. Our strategy is to replace equipment with solutions that offer both cost savings and greenhouse gas reductions. That's why the CIMCO Eco Chill has been such a good fit for us – it delivers on both operational merit and environmental benefits, which aligns perfectly with our approach moving forward.