The Olympia Ice Resurfacer is used at the Bay Arena, here is a
little bit of information taken from an article written last year.
Good Grief! There's a lot to Ice Resurfacers
Compliments of: The Compass
written by: Dave White
Charlie Brown once said, "There are three things in life people like to stare at; one
is a rippling stream, another is a fire in a fireplace and the other is the ice
resurfacer commonly referred by all as the Zamboni, going around and around
and around.
There's something hypnotic about it. Maybe it's the graceful movement over the
ice surface or maybe we're waiting to see if the driver will miss a spot. Whatever it
is, the Ice Resurfacer makes its appearance before a hockey game and during the
first and second intermissions, and then it disappears to a place hardly anyone
ever sees.
The Ice Resurfacer's job is to actually clean, smooth the ice and apply a fresh
layer of water over it for resurfacing. That's why it is called a ice resurfacer.
Hot water is used, as opposed to cold water, because hot doesn't have oxygen in
it and therefore it creates a better surface.
Today, resurfacers, such as the Olympia Ice Resurfacer used here at the Bay
Aren, not only remove snow and apply water, they shave approximately one eighth
of an inch off the ice, using a seven foot long razor sharp blade each time they do
the cleaning. Over three eighths of an inch of ice is replaced by adding the hot
water.
The Arena's ice is only one inch thick and it's important to remove the many pits
and ridges caused by hockey players and figure skaters.
At 30 kilometres per hour the Ice Resurfacer Man cleans and resurfaces the Bay
Arena in eight minutes. The truck-like machine is set in low gear and once in
motion the driver may have to adjust the blade to trim any highs or lows on the ice
surface. Directly behind the blade is a large two-piece auger. It picks up the snow
and throws it unto a smaller vertical auger that transport the unwanted snow to the
front of the resurfacer known as the snow tank.
Each week, the blade is removed and replaced. The used blade is crated and
shipped to Halifax, Nova Scotia for resharpening.
Facts:
The Olympia Ice Resurfacer uses 75 - 80 gallons (302 litres) of hot water at 150 to
160 degrees Fahrenheit each time the ice is cleaned.
The 22 year old resurfacer was converted from gasoline to propane five years
ago. The reason for this is there are no fuel emissions.
Maintenance is expensive but worth it, a new Ice Resurfacer would cost
approximately $80,000 today double if it's electric.
Fuel emissions are not a problem at the Bay Arena. The Dept of Health makes
periodic checks at the Bay Arena and measures the amount of carbon monoxide
by using a metre while the ice is being flooded.
The Ice Resurfacer is running in tiptop condition. A motor was replace a few years
ago and the Bay Arena is hoping to get another 10 - 12 years out of it.
Did you know that even the smallest child is fascinated by the ice resurfacer
"Zamboni" has it is called by almost everyone?
Even from the Bay Lounge inside the Bay Arena that overlooks the entire ice
surface, spectators can't resist looking down to watch the "Zamboni", going
around and around and around.
Thanks Dave and The Compass.
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