A local skating school and others celebrated the recent decision by a rock-climbing and fitness organization to not become the new tenants of the Culver Ice Arena. But anyone seeking to use the rink will soon realize that many obstaclesenvironmental and financial- in their path due to the condition of the arena’s infrastructure.
A special report released by City Manager John Nachbar on Feb. 14 details how the rink’s refrigeration system, according to one consultant listed in the report, “is at or near the end of its useful life.”
The 49-page review states that William Clement of Complete Thermal Services Inc., a Stanton-based air condition service and repair firm, which had be servicing the rink for 20 years, met with Nachbar and warned him that potentially dangerous gas-anhydrous ammonia could be released into the atmosphere if the rink’s refrigeration system were to be turned off before it could be removed.
The rink is less than a block north of a residential neighborhood. Anhydrous ammonia is a colorless, highly irritating gas with a sharp, suffocating odor, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Exposure to high levels of can cause death from a swollen throat or from chemical burns to the lungs.
Clement also spoke with members of the Culver City Fire Department and told them the same things that he told Nachbar: essentially, if the arena were to be operated as an ice rink, it would require substantial repairs.
According to the report, theoperator, John Jackson, nor the property owner, Mike Karagozian, has indicated that they are willing to take the necessary steps to safely decommission the ice rink.
Shannon Takahashi, whose family ran the skating school at the rink, could not be reached for comment. But at a Feb. 10 City Council meeting, she announced that her family had been working with Karagozian on an agreement that many Culver City residents welcomed.
“We were able to secure a short term lease with their landlord in order to keep the ice rink alive,” Takahashi told the council.
Takahashi said the fire department contacted her the same day regarding the refrigeration system and its condition, which she said was odd because they have been inspected each year and until recently it was “totally ok to functioning as an ice rink.”
“We’ve been healthy and functioning safely for 52 years and we could start skating again on March 1,” Takahashi continued, with he supporters cheering in the background. “All of a sudden there some kind of issue that wasn’t there before. I don’t understand why we keep hitting a roadblock. It seems like the city doesn’t wantto ice skating anymore.”
Residents rallied in an effort to save the rink in January after Karagosian did not renew Jackson’s lease. Olympic skaters Randy Gardner and Tai Babalonia practiced there and generations of Culver City families have used the 52-year-old rink.
“The city is working to make certain that all opportunities to resolve the situation relating to the safety of the Culver Ice Arena are explored,” Nachbar told the News. “We are willing to work cooperatively with the property owner and/or authorized operator to address the outstanding issues.”
Nachbar told residents who packed the Mike Balkman Council Chambers last month to implore the council to save the rink that there was nothing the city could regarding the lease and the cost to run the arena were prohibitive.
One of the reasons why Planet Granite decided not to come to Culver City was due to the potential environmental hazards in its refrigeration system.
“The ammonia coolant used in the system is a significant and potentially dangerous environmental and health risk, especially for those living closet to the facility,” states a document provided to the city from the rock climbing organization. “A shutdown of the system without appropriate removal of the coolant can lead to leakage or worst case scenario, a rupture from excessive pressure build up or release of ammonia vapor.”
Allied Industrial Refrigeration Inc. a Los Angeles area refrigeration contracting, company, has been retained by Culver City and they say the system’s mechanical integrity does not meet industry standards. The company recommended removing the anhydrous ammonia and making any necessary repairs before allowing it to be operated as an ice rink again.
The city assessment characterizes Karagozian as being uncooperative regarding the state of the ice rink, with the exception of agreeing to have the electricity transferred to his name so that the refrigeration system is not shut off.
Karagozian said he plans to reopen the arena under a new operator, despite being warned of the potential hazards. He also took issue with Alliance’s review as well as the safety of the facility, according to the city’s study.
Asked if the city would be forced to take legal action if Karagozian seeks to reopen the ice rink, Nachbar responded, “The city sincerely hopes that it can find a mutually acceptable way to protect the public, without legal action. The city’s number one priority is public safety—it is our first and foremost consideration.
“We look forward to making certain that this matter is resolved to ensure the protection of the public,” Nachbar said.
