The city is being asked to fork over an additional $20,000 for ice plant control equipment at the Mt. McIntyre Recreation Centre.

Otherwise, next year's curling season could be cut short.

Upgrades to the curling rink were added into the 2008 budget at a cost of $65,000 to pay for a new micro-processor and a new digital control system.

The micro-processor, interim city manager George White told council last Monday night, controls compressors that monitor the ice plant equipment's operations.

A Direct Digital Control System (DDCS) was identified for the ice plant.

"The micro-processors currently on the compressors are outdated and replacement parts are no longer available," said White, reading a prepared report from the city's operations committee.

"Should these components fail, a large part of the curling season would be lost while repairs were completed."

Now council is hearing that in addition to these parts, a $20,000 motor control panel is being requested.

"The motor controls and panel that the new equipment would tie into were installed in the mid-1980s," said White.

Though it means a budget increase, White said, it would be the last step in upgrading all city ice rinks.

Both the Takhini Arena and the ice rinks at the Canada Games Centre are up to date with this equipment.

He suggested that the purchase of all three parts for Mt. McIntyre be sole-sourced to Cimco Refrigeration Ltd. of Edmonton.

White explained to council that the task of installing the equipment and programming it is "complex and specialized.

"Cimco Refrigeration has supplied and installed mechanical refrigeration equipment and provided major repairs and technical assistance to the city since 1988, and has a proven record of performance," he said.

If the city waited to install the motor control panel, it would likely cost an additional $6,000 because of higher labour costs in re-connecting equipment.

White advised council it could also work with Cimco to negotiate a price for all three components that falls within the limits of the 2008 budget.

The $20,000 price is just a quote from the company, he said.

"But $20,00 would cover the cost?" asked Coun. Jan Stick.

"Yes," answered White.

Council is set to revisit the issue at tomorrow evening's council meeting.