Coon Rapids City Council approves new ice resurfacer to safeguard operations at Rapids Ice Center

At its December 16 meeting, the Coon Rapids City Council approved the purchase of a new ice resurfacing machine for the Coon Rapids Ice Center, authorizing a major capital replacement for one of the city’s most heavily used recreational facilities.

The council voted to replace the Ice Center’s primary ice resurfacer, which has been in service since 2007. At 17 years old, the outgoing unit has exceeded the typical replacement window for municipal arenas. Industry standards generally call for primary resurfacers to be rotated every 10 to 12 years, as maintenance costs rise and reliability declines with extended use.

Equipment selected

The city approved the purchase of a Zamboni Model 552AC, a high performance electric ice resurfacer widely used in indoor arenas. The battery powered system produces zero emissions during operation, eliminating concerns about indoor air quality and carbon monoxide exposure. For year round facilities like the Coon Rapids Ice Center, electric resurfacers are increasingly viewed as both a safety and sustainability upgrade.

City documents identify the outgoing machine as Zamboni unit No. 678. Staff advised council members that continued operation of the aging unit posed a growing risk of mechanical failure, which could disrupt scheduled ice time and increase unplanned repair costs.

Cost and financing

The approved purchase price totals $198,342.80. The city is acquiring the equipment through Sourcewell, a cooperative purchasing organization that allows local governments to access competitively bid pricing without conducting a separate, lengthy procurement process.

Rather than trading in the existing machine, the city plans to sell the 2007 unit through a public auction. Well maintained ice resurfacers typically retain value on the secondary market, particularly for private rinks and smaller facilities. City staff estimate auction proceeds of approximately $30,000, reducing the net budget impact to roughly $168,000.

Funding for the purchase will come from the city’s capital equipment financing mechanisms, such as Equipment Certificates or the Capital Equipment Fund. Officials emphasized that this approach avoids a sudden increase in the general operating levy while keeping essential infrastructure current.

A heavily used community asset

During council discussion, members underscored that the Ice Center functions as more than a neighborhood rink. It is a core revenue generating facility within the city’s Parks and Recreation system.

The Ice Center hosts the Coon Rapids High School boys’ and girls’ hockey programs, the Coon Rapids Skating School, and multiple youth hockey associations. Unlike seasonal outdoor rinks, the facility operates year round, subjecting resurfacing equipment to far higher operating hours than a typical municipal vehicle.

Council members noted that an unexpected breakdown of the existing machine could force game cancellations or ice rental refunds, resulting in lost revenue and disruptions for families, teams, and leagues that rely on consistent access to the facility.

Delivery timeline

Although the purchase has been approved, the new resurfacer is not expected to arrive immediately. Lead times for specialized electric ice resurfacers can range from six to twelve months, depending on manufacturing schedules and battery component availability. The city will continue operating the current unit until delivery and commissioning of the new machine are complete.

City officials characterized the decision as a proactive investment in reliability, safety, and long term cost control, aimed at ensuring uninterrupted service at one of Coon Rapids’ most active public recreation venues.

MinneapoliMedia