Town buys 1st Zamboni

The Town of Caledon is going to buy its first Zamboni 525 ice resurfacer from Zamboni Co. Ltd. in Brantford for $85,289.10, all taxes included, to be used at the new arena in Caledon East.

Caledon council agreed with Town staff's recommendation even though the Town did receive a lower bid of $79,953.90 from Resurfice Corp. in Elmira.

The Town currently has a fleet of three Olympia ice resurfacers, manufactured by Resurfice Corp.

Staff explained Zamboni uses a smaller and more fuel efficient four-cylinder engine compared to the large V8 engine used by the Olympia ice resurfacer.

Zamboni also uses a hydrostatic transmission which provides significant fuel savings and more efficient fuel use resulting in less emissions for cleaner indoor air.

Staff added a Zamboni is easier to operate. It has a safety feature that brings the machine to a complete stop if the operator's foot leaves the pedal.

Zamboni offers mechanical training for in-house mechanical repairs which could allow the Town to use in-house mechanics to meet its mechanical servicing needs.