Send this page to someone via email

The ice rink at West Edmonton Mall is shutting down for five months to undergo a $3-million renovation.

The mall said the renovations will include a “highly effective heating and cooling floor” to provide a superior ice surface and new free-standing rink boards. The protective netting surrounding the rink will also be upgraded and automated.

READ MORE: 2nd The Rec Room location opening at West Edmonton Mall summer 2017

The Ice Palace refrigeration plant will be replaced with an environmentally friendly and energy efficient ice plant.

Ice skating rink at the West Edmonton Mall. Dave Buston, Canadian Press

WEM said it chose local contractors to complete the work. The mall said the firms chosen have completed over 175 refrigerated concrete pads, including the Royal Glenora Club, the University of Alberta, the Richmond speed skating oval as well as the University of BC Winter Sports Centre which was used for the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games.

Story continues below advertisement

The rink will re-open to the public in December.

READ MORE: Manager speaks out after man crashes through shop’s roof in stunt gone wrong at West Edmonton Mall

The ice palace originally opened in 1983 as part of the mall’s Phase II expansion.