Wichita City Approves $60K in Repairs to Reopen Ice Center’s Second Rink
WICHITA, Kansas — The Wichita City Council has approved $60,000 in funding to repair a broken ammonia compressor at the Wichita Ice Center, a move expected to help the facility reopen its second ice rink before winter.
Repair Funding Unanimously Approved
The council’s unanimous vote came despite concerns over the Ice Center’s history of frequent equipment failures. The decision aims to restore the facility’s full operations in time for the busy winter season.
Council member Dalton Glasscock called the center a “valuable city asset” and said it was important to invest in existing infrastructure while ongoing legal issues related to the facility’s former operators are still being resolved.
“We know there’s a problem that has to be fixed,” Glasscock said. “Pending current legal action, we just want to make sure we’re making smart investments in property the city owns.”
Court records show the city is pursuing legal action over breach of contract, seeking to recover funds from the Ice Center’s former operators.
Operations Limited by Equipment Failure
The facility has been operating with just one rink after the compressor malfunctioned, forcing the cancellation of several events and programs.
Sean O’Reilly, the Ice Center’s general manager, said the timing of the breakdown was especially difficult.
“It couldn’t have come at a worse time,” O’Reilly said. “As the temperature cools, business heats up for us. People can’t skate on ponds anymore — so they come to the rink.”
The Ice Center is the only skating facility within 225 miles, according to O’Reilly, and has had to make tough choices between public skating sessions and stakeholder events while operating at half capacity.
Repairs Expected to Finish This Fall
With the city’s funding approved, O’Reilly says repairs will begin immediately, and he’s hopeful the second rink will reopen before the end of November.
“I’m very optimistic,” he said. “Hopefully we’ll have a second sheet of ice up before the end of the year.”
The Ice Center remains open with limited programming while crews complete the compressor replacement.
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