The JRMCC is the home of the La Ronge Ice Wolves. (Image Credit: Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

facility improvements

New ice plant installed at JRMCC

Sep 11, 2026 | 4:54 PM

A new $800,000 ice plant at the Jonas Roberts Memorial Community Centre (JRMCC) will ensure the rink remains viable for another 25 to 30 years.

Work to install the new plant has been ongoing for the last couple of weeks, resulting in the La Ronge Ice Wolves having to practice and host their preseason games at the Mel Hegland Uniplex. In addition to the new ice plant, a dehumidifier has also been installed at the cost of more than $200,000.

“Back in March, we were advised we should either refurbish or purchase a new ice plant. Ours was 21 years. It had ran its lifespan and we were faced with issues the last few years,” explained JRMCC Director of Sports and Recreation Kevin Roberts.

“Last year in late August, we had a piston blown, so we were able to get that repaired but just that piston alone was a $25,000 repair. We would have to go through these situations steady if we didn’t decided to refurbish or just go with a whole brand new system. I presented the options to council and they were able to support our initiative.”

The dehumidifier was turned on last Friday and the ice plant was activated earlier this week. The actual installation of the ice surface began today.

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“The ice freezes quicker and so by tonight they will start painting lines,” Roberts noted.

“Before, we weren’t painting lines until the second or third day in our previous years. It will be a quick turnaround. I’m kind of giving the boys a push to get it done, so the team can practice at least once or twice next week before the home opener on Friday.”

JRMCC staff have also been completing some minor facility improvements such as painting, adding new matting, and enhancing the player’s dressing room. In addition, the facility has also been approved to install charging stations for electric vehicles, which would be the first for the tri-communities.

“We were just given verbal notice last week they identified our facility – just because the high traffic in our area – that we would be a good location to have a couple EV chargers in our yard,” Roberts remarked.

“We just have to let that process play out with the funding, purchasing and installation. We haven’t been given a time frame for that yet, but we’ve been verbally assured we’ve been approved.”

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

by Derek Cornet

New ice plant installed at JRMCC

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