Multiplex Ice Plant Back in Service

Port Alberni, BC – On Friday, November 22, 2019, at 3:35 p.m., Technical Safety BC lifted its Safety Order and provided the City of Port Alberni with a new Certificate of Inspection authorizing reactivation of the Alberni Valley Multiplex ice plant.

“We are happy to announce that we are officially back in the ice-making business,” said Tim Pley, City of Port Alberni CAO.

Accent Refrigeration is on-site working in coordination with trained City staff to start making the new ice, but the ice-making process is an intensive one. “When we install ice each summer, it takes approximately seven days to complete each of the two surfaces (14 days total),” said Willa Thorpe, Director of Parks, Recreation and Heritage. “Based on our unique circumstances and the extended shutdown, we will be installing the ice on a truncated timeline. The City is targeting Friday, November 29, for the reopening of the Weyerhaeuser rink, and Monday, December 2 for the Coulson rink. This expedited timeline should not affect the quality of the ice for the remainder of the 2019-2020 season,” concluded Ms. Thorpe.

All necessary safety protocols will be in place during the ice-making process and staff, along with Accent Refrigeration, will be monitoring the work closely.

With an anticipated November 29 opening date, the City will continue with its regularly-scheduled programs, events and Bulldogs’ games. Winter Wonderland, the City’s annual celebration, will continue as normal starting December 3. Winter Wonderland is accessible to all community members and guests of the Alberni Valley, with almost 9,000 guests expected to participate throughout December, including school groups, sponsored public skates, and rentals. The ‘Everyone Welcome’ public skates during Winter Wonderland are expected to draw 4,200 people alone.

“This has been a trying three weeks for our community. We respect and appreciate Technical Safety BC’s support in helping the City of Port Alberni ensure the safe operation of our community ice plant and look forward to restoring our recreational services at the facility,” concluded Mr. Pley.

Click here for a copy of the Nov. 22 Certificate of Inspection 

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For More Information

Tim Pley

CAO, City of Port Alberni

timothy_pley@portalberni.ca