Greensburg ice arena renovation on track for late summer completion

A $3 million overhaul of Greensburg’s Kirk S. Nevin Arena is on track for completion by mid-August, in time for a new season of skating at the arena’s ice rink.

The project includes installation of an updated, more efficient refrigerant system and reconstruction of the rink floor.

Parks and Recreation Superintendent Glenn Moyer reported this week that crews have completed demolition and removal of the rink’s concrete floor and insulation below it, as well as a 6-inch layer of piping and sand underneath.

“The timeline is looking very good,” he said. “We’re at the base skeleton of what we’re going to build off of for the new arena.”

New piping and fresh sand will be used in reconstructing the rink, but the old sand that was removed should be recycled by the contractor, Moyer said.

The rink will be rebuilt in reverse order.

“They’ll put piping in, bring the sand in, put the insulation down and pour concrete,” Moyer said. “On June 13, we will be pouring concrete. That’s a solid deadline.”

Clauger USA, the only company to submit a bid, is installing an upgraded refrigeration system for the arena at a cost of about $2.2 million.

It will replace a 27-year-old system that is out of date and is no longer being manufactured.

Moyer said the new system uses a refrigerant that is less costly and more efficient and environmentally friendly. The newer version is designed to cause no harm to the Earth’s ozone layer if it were to be released into the air.

“The old system had 8,000 pounds of refrigerant,” Moyer said. “The new system will have 500 pounds.”

Moyer has projected a 25% savings in energy costs at the arena because of the improvements.

Other upgrades in the works include new heating units for the arena lobby. PennRadiant is supplying the units, at a cost of $4,917, and Johnson Controls is installing them for $11,990.

TP Electric is performing related electrical work at a cost of $87,560.

Much of the arena renovation cost is being covered by grants: $1.5 million from the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, as part of covid-19 pandemic recovery funding; and $400,000 from the Commonwealth Financing Authority’s Local Share Account, which is generated through state gambling revenue.

Moyer said the city is seeking grants from additional sources, including one that would cover the cost of the electrical work.

Located at Lynch Field, the arena was built in 1968 and last was renovated in 1998. At that time, it got a new floor, locker rooms, bleachers, lobby and garage area.

The arena hosts youth games of the Westmoreland Hockey Association and public skating sessions.