20 Nov Shhhhh! Don’t Tell ‘Em!
The banners and the ice at Sunny Life Recreation and Wellness Centre (Municipality of Trent Hills, Ontario).
Peter Burnett (left), the Director of Community Services for the Municipality of Trent Hills, Ontario, admits that it took time.
He discovered REALice several years ago, thinking the concept of flooding without hot water was interesting. It would certainly be financially beneficial for the municipality.
But he wondered about the ice, about its impact on the staff and on their user groups. Would it really work? Would it be a big change? Would the user groups notice?
In 2022, the Municipality installed a REALice system at Warkworth Arena, a seasonal single pad.
And then they kept it a secret!
Blind Trial
Rather than announcing the change, Burnett’s team ran a “blind trial”. They continued their regular operations to see if anyone would notice a difference.
They did — in the best way possible.
“We got unsolicited compliments on the ice quality,” Burnett recalls. “Our curlers even said they could see the lines better!
Validated Outcomes
With REALice checking all the boxes, it was included in the design specifications for its new build, the Sunny Life Recreation and Wellness Centre. The Municipality is now a repeat REALice customer, and the system has been used for building and maintaining the ice ever since that facility opened in 2024.
“Both the public and staff are very happy,” says Burnett. “The ice quality is really good, and people appreciate that we’re looking to alternatives to traditional ice making, and it works out really well for us here.”
Trent Hills now operates two REALice-equipped arenas, leading by example in delivering high-quality ice while reducing energy costs and environmental impact.
Watch what Peter has to say in the 2 minute video!
The Sunny Life Recreation and Wellness Centre is a fully accessible, 64,000 sq. foot facility. Besides the NHL-sized ice pad, it has a fitness centre as well as an aquatic centre.
As you can see by the picture on the left, this facility has a “stand-out” way of designating which locker room is which. They initially considered a stick-on solution, but decided to hire a painter to make the room numbers stand out. It looks marvelous!