More info needed on ice-cleaning machine

Shannon LeClair
Times Reporter

 

Council is looking at purchasing a new ice-cleaning machine for the Strathmore Family Centre this year. As part of the 2015 budget, council approved the purchase of the new machine, and on Jan. 23 two proposals were received.
Big Hill Services quoted $158,500, after trade-in, for an ICEBEAR Olympia machine. Delivery time would take two weeks, the town already owns two machines through the company, and staff at the Strathmore Family Centre are pleased with the current service through them.
The second quote came in from Joe Johnson Equipment at $144,705, after trade-in, for the ENGO 200SX. This machine operates differently than the ones the Family Centre staff currently use and would require them to train with it. Delivery time would take six months.
“Administration is recommending that it be awarded to Big Hill Services for the following reasons; familiarity with the product and company, delivery time frame of two weeks and need for consistent servicing through only one company,” said Municipal Clerk Jennifer Sawatzky.
Councillor Brad Walls questioned if it is worth it to pay the extra $14,000 to bring the ice machine here in two weeks when the ice will be shut down fairly shortly after, especially since both companies offer the same warranty and safety features.
Councillor Steve Grajczyk said he is in favour of getting the $158,000, emphasizing the fact that in the event of repairs different parts would be needed than what is currently on hand.
“It is so critical that you stay with the same machine, it’s going to end up costing you a lot more in the long run if you change models. It’s easy to build up that money in parts,” said Grajczyk.
“For the first couple of years I can’t see us having much need for many parts because generally most of that is covered under warranty,” said Walls.
He understands there will be training costs, but if it is not coming in for six months then staff will have all of August and some of September before they would need to use the machine.
“I would still say we should go with the one they (the staff) are used to. They are used to the service, they have had quality service provided by the company in the past, they are all used to the machinery. I would stay with the same one,” said Councillor Pat Fule.
Because both machines are listed to offer the same warranty and safety features, and the one from Joe Johnson is said to have a longer lasting battery, Walls finds the recommendation confusing.
“It says right here that both companies offer the same warranties and same features, basically the difference here is $14,000. It also says there that the other one will last longer than the current one, so in my mind we’re getting a better machine for $14,000 less,” said Walls.
Councillor Rocky Blokland said in the end the cheaper one may end up being a better machine than the ones used now.
“I don’t think we should be scared to take a chance on it just because it’s a different piece of equipment, down the road when we have to replace in two or three years we might find this is a better way to go in the first place,” said Blokland.
Information about why the more expensive machine was recommended versus the cheaper one which offers all of the same features and warranty was requested by council and will be brought back to the next council meeting.