Two Hills Centennial Arena – Town of Two Hills

Overview

As a part of the Community Energy Conservation (CEC) Program, the Town of Two Hills replaced the ice plant at the Two Hills Centennial Arena with a low volume ammonia system that produces better ice, reduces operating costs, improves staff safety, and improves the overall quality of this important community space.

Approach

Located in the Town of Two Hills, the Centennial Arena was built in 1967. The two-story arena offers an ice rink, lobby, washrooms and dressing rooms on the main level, and an upper level with a viewing platform, announcer’s booth and concession booth. In 2024, Town staff applied for various grant programs to support the installation of a new low volume ammonia ice plant to replace the aging freon-based system. Construction took place offsite with the building of the ice plant on a single skid that was then connected to the facility in early 2026.

This project was funded by the Government of Alberta.

Results

The low-charge ammonia system includes more efficient compressors and variable frequency low drives and controls that enable better performance in low load conditions while also reducing the overall need for maintenance. The system also features an adiabatic condenser is air-cooled and significantly reduces water use while ensuring proper heat transfer.

Overall, the new system is expected to reduce electricity consumption by 185,380 kWh per year. The project is expected to reduce GHG emissions from the previous system by 42.9% and reduce emissions facility-wide by 23.7%.

“Alberta Municipalities congratulates the Town of Two Hills for the upgrades it has made to its Centennial Arena and Curling Rink. These savvy and energy efficient improvements have catapulted it from the 1960s to the 2020s and transformed it into a state-of-the-art facility.”

Dylan Bressey, President, Alberta Municipalities

“The Town of Two Hills has made meaningful progress toward a more economically and environmentally sustainable future with these projects. Partnerships are essential to this kind of work, and we’re proud to collaborate on initiatives where shared effort leads to lasting, system-level change.”

Trina Innes, Executive Director, Municipal Climate Change Action Centre