The Trail Smoke Eaters will have ice for their home opener this week.
That might seem like an odd statement, but the city is reassuring fans following a months-long project to replace the refrigerated floor of the Cominco Arena.
Municipal services manager Jared Miner describes it as a “complete restructuring” of the playing surface area, including the demolition of the existing concrete floor, some excavation, and replacing the boards, subsurface cooling system, and piping.
A new subfloor heating system has been installed which allows ice to be in place for longer periods. Above surface, the new boards meet NHL safety standards, including seamless acrylic glass. “It has a bit of give to it,” Miner said. “It’ll be much safer for the players or community members using the facility.”
The project also included adjusting the radiuses of the corners. While the old ones were “relatively sharp,” the new ones are much more gradual, also in accordance with NHL standards, Miner said.
At the same time, the arena’s ammonia plant was upgraded. Construction was completed within the last week, following several months of work. Reward Construction Ltd. was awarded a $1.9 million contract in January. A separate contract for dasher board infrastructure went to Athletica Sport Systems Inc., for $729,000 plus tax.
Miner said city crews have been “diligently building the new ice surface all week.” They expect it will be ready for the first Smokies home game of the season on Friday against West Kelowna. Trail will by then have played six games on the road.
Miner told city council this week there have been “small overruns” on the project, but in an interview he added that it was a “very well-executed project” that minimized disruptions.
“Both of our contractors and our crews showed a lot of ingenuity to mitigate any delays,” he said. “We’re very grateful to everybody who participated and excited to see it used.”
Miner said the new concrete floor should last 50 years or more. The Cominco Arena, which is within the Trail Memorial Centre, opened in 1949 and celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2024.
