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As a result of further geothermal technology research, the conventional replacement method <br />has been temporarily placed on hold and the Stevens Engineering contract has not been <br />engaged. Due to various factors, including ice time scheduling and favorable bidding time <br />frame, a direction decision will need to be made soon for the 2007 project. At this time <br />sufficient reliable information is not yet available to make a fully informed recommendation <br />and/or decision. <br />Staff has been working to outline costs, opportunities, risks/challenges in order to fonnulate a <br />decision point. At this time not enough infon-nation is available, but it appears too early to <br />discount the geothermal technology as it applies to the Roseville Arena. Preliminary <br />indications are that a potential annual savings of $40,000 may be realised if converted to a <br />geothermal technology. What is not known at this time is the conversion costs vs payback <br />time and functionality. A very rough beginning analysis includes the following categories and <br />bullet points: <br />Financial <br />Advantages <br />• Potential savings of up to 40% of electricity and natural gas costs <br />• Potential Xcel energy grant opportunities <br />• Potential of heating and cooling the Skating Center and other campus buildings <br />• The daily maintenance/operation is expected to be less <br />Disadvantages <br />• The increase in upfront cost of installation <br />+ Ice reliability — can it meet our summer demand usage <br />Opportunities <br />• May be the future of rink technology <br />• Environmental benefits — Polypropylene vs Freon <br />+ The geothermal technology is consistent with the City environmental approaches <br />+ Use of earth energy <br />• Financial savings - incorporating the OVAL — using excess heat for heating and <br />cooling entire City Hall campus (future planning) <br />Risks/Challenges <br />• The replacement project has been delayed for several years and although the <br />components have been maintained to the highest standard they are past their useful <br />life. <br />• Due to the age of existing equipment there is always a potential for a mechanical <br />failure resulting in downtime of the arena (loss revenues, public relations, expense for <br />temporary/permanent fixes, etc.) <br />• Does it work sufficiently in our situation, will it maintain the ice at acceptable levels <br />year around <br />• All rinks using this technology are new rinks. There are no conversion rinks at this <br />time (Rochester, Albert Lea are looking at conversion too) <br />0 Page 2 <br />