The Soldotna Parks & Recreational Department received a new Zamboni on Tuesday, Jan. 7th. Coincidentally, on the same day the new one arrived, the old Zamboni broke at a Soldotna High School hockey game because a seal on one of the hydraulic pumps failed.
The old Zamboni was over twenty years old.
The new one will be equipped with a lithium-ion battery, which will provide a quick charge system and give the Zamboni a 5-hour runtime on a full charge. Soldotna Parks and Recreational employee Trevor Baldwin says, “The emissions are nothing so that it will improve the facility’s air quality.”
This will be the third Zamboni in 15 years.
“It was time. We’re hoping this facility continues to stay around and serve the community for many further generations of kids. So we have to update and get knew stuff… I’m glad we did it.” Baldwin says.
Baldwin says that in another 10-15 years, the Parks and Recreational Department will probably want to switch from propane to two electric Zambonis entirely. “They do the same ice quality, and it’s just going to be a little bit better for the facility.”
The Soldotna Parks and Recreational Department wants to give the old Zamboni to a facility without a secondary unit. If that doesn’t happen, they may put it up for bid.
The cover photo is courtesy of Soldotna Parks & Recreation.