Thorsby proposes borrowing bylaw for arena floor replacement

THORSBY -- The Town of Thorsby is looking to borrow up to $250,000 to complete a full replacement of the ice floor at the Arctic Spas Rec Centre.

The debenture is proposed through a new borrowing bylaw that was recently tabled for its first reading. Upon final passage and approval, this will authorize the township to borrow the necessary funds from the province. Thorsby staff say the replacement is necessary due to a worsening brine leak in the arena floor. Several leaks have been treated in years past using sealant; however, it's reported by the municipality that the sealant is no longer holding.

They note that a recent leak increased in severity and that a technical review determined that ongoing patch repairs are no longer a reliable option. The refrigeration lines beneath the ice surface are now more than 40 years old, according to the municipality. Chief Financial Officer Cindy Van Leest discussed the new borrowing bylaw at the Town of Thorsby's council meeting on Apr. 28, 2026.

"At an interest rate of 3.86 per cent, the payments will be $15,186.09 semi-annually -- with the total cost of borrowing at $53,721.80," said Van Leest. "The borrowing bylaw will be advertised for two consecutive weeks and then will require a fifteen-day petition period. It will return at the May 26, 2026, regular meeting for second and third readings."

The total cost of the Ice Floor Replacement Project is estimated to be around $1,000,000. Of this, $676,000 of the total project funding is expected to be contributed by Leduc County, while the rest will come from the proposed borrowing bylaw and the Town of Thorsby's municipal reserves. 

The township had said in a previous statement that if all goes according to plan, the installation phase for the new ice floor would get underway starting on May 15. It's not fully known what the full-time estimates will be for the major project, but Thorsby staff say they anticipate that the arena will officially re-open to the public in late September, in time for the winter season.