Brrr! Labrador hockey rink ice even colder after part breaks down

If you're looking to catch a break and escape the cold this winter, you might want to look somewhere other than Happy Valley-Goose Bay's hockey rink.

The E.J. Broomfield Arena in the central Labrador town is dealing with a mechanical issue that has meant the heaters are off.

That's going to make for chilly times over the next few weeks, said Jackie Compton Hobbs, a town councillor.

"It's the condenser that's not functioning properly," she said.

"Right now we have to keep the heat off until we get this condenser part replaced, so that we can keep the ice quality as best as we can get it."

Dress appropriately, visitors told

Hobbs is reaching out to the arena's users to make sure they come prepared for the cold.

"We're encouraging all the user groups to come to the arena dressed appropriately for extreme cold."

A new part has been ordered, but Hobbs said it will take about five weeks until it is installed.

"That condenser part is five years old," she said.

"Because we use sand more often in this region, there appears to be some sediments that got into the condenser, which has caused it to deteriorate faster."

In the meantime, Hobbs said arena management are still planning to go full speed ahead for the upcoming Labrador Winter Games. 

"The spectators and the fans that are up in the stands, they just got to keep their coats on and probably wear their gloves," she said.