Prince George, B.C. – Although the only ice  most people think about today is the kind that is in a glass to chill a summer refreshment,  the  Outdoor Ice Oval is planning for its next year of  activity.

The Outdoor Ice Oval had to close  several days over the past winter, but the good news is the  society didn’t lose any money.

“By most of the measures it was a successful season” says Kathy Lewis of the Ice Oval Society.  “We had a few challenges,  weather related, which has become a common  occurrence for us.”   Those weather challenges  saw  super thaws during the middle of winter,  which  closed the oval, then when it reopened, there were some  deep freeze temperatures which  had an impact on  attendance.

The Ice Oval Society will be building on its season pass effort.  They sold 30 such passes last season.

“We had some great turn out  on the days when we were open” says Lewis “we also had growing interest  from the public  wanting to learn how to speed skate on the long track.”

Plans for next year, include a new equipment building that will be built on the west side of the truck.  The building will be at ice level and will allow  volunteers easier access to the equipment they need.

The garage that houses the zamboni will be moved to ice level as well.   After the Winter Games,  the  garage will be transformed into a “warming hut”.

And there is a dream, a geothermal based refrigeration system  that will offset the warming climate, which  is showing  a temperature increase of .08 degrees a year.  Such a system could  ensure  proper ice conditions up to +7 degrees.