The Forum’s 2010 summer ice season
IN THE CITY
by James F. Kaiser
The Forum has just complete the summer ice season. This year we extended the regular two weeks into four weeks to allow our users more flexibility with available ice time. This worked out very well.
Two weeks into the season we suffered a catastrophic failure of one of our compressors. Normally we could take this in stride but the unusually hot and humid weather severely taxed our ability to keep a safe ice surface. With only one compressor running we were unable to use the dehumidifier causing the entire inside of the arena to basically become a fog bank. Water condensed on all the beams and dripped continually. Forum maintenance personnel were able to handle these problems, keeping the ice safe for use, until the outside temperatures reach the mid to upper 90s with dew points in the 70s.
When this happened the condensation dripping on the ice was warm enough to melt through to the floor. With large holes everywhere there was a drip we were forced to close the facility for three days, Friday, July 9 through Sunday, July 11, until the temperature and humidity dropped slightly.
I wish to thank everyone who used the ice this summer, especially the groups and individuals that put up with the poor conditions forced on us by mechanical failure and unusual weather and helped us get through a trying time. From here we will examine the new 4 week season to determine if it is a viable change for the future.
James F. Kaiser is director of the Forum, a four-season facility owned and operated by the city of Presque Isle. He can be reached at 764-0491 or via e-mail at theforum@mfx.net.
