A New Era Begins Now
Phase One: From Planning to Execution
Project Scope
- RFP - Obtain 3 Quotes
- Prepare budget - Fund Raising
- Oxford Energy Solutions Inc. Successful vendor
- Begin Source Fund Raising
- Project Start Date - Apr. 2026
- Project Completion Date - Sep. 2026
- (Current equipment shown)
**Forest Curling Club Awards Refrigeration tender to Oxford Energy Solutions Inc!**
We are excited to announce that we have awarded the refrigeration tender to Oxford Energy Solutions Inc. — marking a major step forward in efficiency, reliability, and long-term sustainability.
Oxford Energy Solutions delivers a system that is easy to customize, highly reliable, and built on advanced engineering principles tailored for modern ice facilities.
Flexible Split-System Design -- The system separates the condensing unit from the indoor compressor rack, allowing the condensing unit to be installed outdoors. This approach will replace 50 year old brine based refrigeration for a more efficient modern HFO solution.
- Maximizes interior space within our facility
- Improves system efficiency and noise control
- Allows components to be accessed and serviced independently
- Provides greater flexibility for customized installation layouts
- Connected, Digital Ice Management over the internet
- Through advanced digitalization, the system creates a seamless network between components
- Enables precise control and optimization of ice conditions.
- Intelligent connectivity ensures consistent performance while simplifying day-to-day operations.
Transparent Energy Gains and Club Benefits
Oxford's chiller platform - Features a fully integrated energy management system that provides real-time visibility into system performance and energy usage complete with automated and 24Hr monitoring locally and remotely!
- Enables informed operational decisions
- Identifies opportunities for energy savings helping to offset costs
- Supports long-term sustainability goals
- Enhances overall system accountability
Phase Two: Laying the Foundation
Project Scope
- Perimeter forming
- Ground compaction
- Precision leveling
- Preparation for concrete pouring
- Pad installation to accomodate Chiller
**Accommodation For New LPP Exterior Refrigeration Plant**
A new concrete pad has been poured to accommodate the exterior Oxford Low-Pressure Platform (OLPP) refrigeration unit. The LPP platform will house all major mechanical components, including the condensing system that keeps our ice in peak condition.
Multiple Hardware System Integration
- Suction-to-Liquid Heat Exchange Accumulator
- Housed Digital Integration
- Multiple Compressors
- Fully Integrated Automation System Controls
Phase Three: Chiller Installation & Interior Mechanical Room Preparation
Project Scope
- Exterior Chiller Installation
- Interior Preparation and planning
- Removal of existing equipment
- Pre-wire and service installs
- Control system preparation
**Phase 3 Complete**
Chiller Integration
Phase 3 of the project is nearing completion. Exterior work is now largely finished, including the installation of the chiller on its dedicated concrete pad.
This outdoor chiller is a fully integrated, self-contained solution, with all major components readily accessible for service, expansion, and customization—supporting the evolving needs of our growing curling club. The chiller is a critical component of the overall refrigeration system.
Components
It houses state-of-the-art compressors, pumps, condensing fans, and heat rejection systems, all engineered to deliver maximum efficiency and optimized energy consumption. Multiple compressors within the unit provide built-in redundancy, helping safeguard against potential system disruptions and ensuring reliable, continuous operation.
SENSORI®
The outdoor chiller seamlessly communicates with the indoor **SENSORI®** control platform, creating a fully integrated and intelligent system.
Integrated Control Platform -- The **SENSORI® ** platform serves as a unified interface that connects refrigeration operations with broader facility needs. It provides continuous monitoring and control across multiple system components, making it significantly easier for ice technicians and support staff to maintain optimal ice conditions throughout the season. With advanced automation and real-time responsiveness, the system requires minimal manual intervention.
It continuously adapts to changing conditions—such as occupancy levels and external weather—allowing for precise, subtle adjustments that ensure consistent, high-quality ice performance.
Phase Four: System Installation
Project Scope
- Plumbing Rough-in
- Tie into existing infrastructure
- System Hardware Integration
- Header connections
**Phase 4 Complete**
Out with the old!
Phase 4 of the project is now in progress. The interior mechanical room is being prepared for the installation of new equipment required to integrate with the Oxford Energy Solutions refrigeration system.
Most legacy equipment including, compressors and circulation pumps have been removed, making way for a new generation of high-efficiency components. Plumbing work is currently underway, with crews installing the piping necessary to carry the *HFO refrigerant from the exterior chiller to the facility.
HFO
HFO Refrigerant (Hydrofluoroolefin) HFO is a fourth-generation synthetic refrigerant designed for modern, environmentally responsible cooling systems. It is non-toxic and non-flammable, offering a high level of safety for facility operations. Composed of hydrogen, fluorine, and carbon, HFO refrigerants are recognized for their: Low environmental impact Excellent thermodynamic performance High energy efficiency in cooling applications This advanced refrigerant technology aligns with our commitment to sustainability while supporting optimal system performance and long-term operational efficiency.
Phase Five: Final Test and Commission
Project Scope
- Mechanical system testing
- Online systems and integration
- Testing header tie-ins and connections/performance
- Pipe wrap
- Online Testing
- Final Test and Commission
Phase Five Complete!
Phase 5 Complete — A New Ice Plant for Forest Curling
Thank You's
Thanks to the exceptional planning and execution by Oxford Energy Solutions, the dedication of numerous skilled trades, and a bit of cooperation from Mother Nature, this ambitious project has come to life—on time and beyond expectations.
We extend a sincere thank you to everyone who played a role from the very beginning. This achievement was made possible through the support of our business partners, corporate and private donors, and the outstanding efforts of contractors and trade professionals. A special recognition goes to our Forest Curling project team for their leadership and commitment throughout.
We are especially proud to have completed this project within an accelerated timeline—surpassing our club’s expectations and setting a new standard for what’s possible.
System Commissioning & Performance
All major components have been fully tested and commissioned, including the SENSORI® control platform, outdoor chiller, heat exchange systems, and refrigeration compressors. The system is performing exceptionally well and responding precisely as designed.
Final finishing work is now being completed, including pipe insulation that enhances efficiency across the brine distribution system—further optimizing overall performance.
How the System Works
At the core of our new ice plant is an advanced HFO (hydrofluoroolefin) refrigerant system. Operating within a closed-loop phase-change process inside the Oxford low-pressure platform (chiller), it removes heat from the circulating brine solution. This process cools the brine to sub-zero temperatures before it is recirculated beneath the ice surface, ensuring consistent, high-quality playing conditions.
Smart Monitoring & Intelligent Control
The system is supported by advanced monitoring and automation, including:
- Four strategically placed in-ice sensors across the pad
- An integrated air quality and humidity monitoring station
- Real-time data communication with the SENSORI® control platform
- Together, these elements create a fully integrated, intelligent system that continuously adjusts to changing conditions—maintaining optimal ice quality with minimal manual intervention.
Seamless integration with building automation systems also enables centralized monitoring, improved energy management, and long-term operational efficiency.
Exceptional Team Effort!
Once again, we extend our deepest thanks to everyone involved—our Forest Curling project team, Oxford Energy Solutions, local businesses, donors, sponsors, and partners. Your support and collaboration made this incredible project possible.
Now, all that’s left… is to welcome our members back on the ice.
Phase Six: A New Era Begins!
Project Scope
- New season start-up
- Systems come online
- Online systems and integration monitoring
- Bring slab to temperature
- Begin flooding (base coat)
- Apply lines and textiles
- Begin flooding (top coat)
- Apply pebbling
A New Era in Ice Making Begins!
A New Era Begins: Building the Ice
As Forest Curling Club begins a new era, the installation of our ice marks another exciting milestone in the journey toward a new curling season.
After months of hard work, commitment, and dedication from our tremendous business partners, project team, sponsors, donors, contractors, and Oxford Energy Solutions, we are pleased to announce the next chapter in our ongoing effort to enhance the curling experience for the Lambton Shores community.
The new ice plant is online—and flooding has begun!
Creating a new curling surface is a delicate and highly controlled process, and we are thrilled to report that we are off to a tremendous start.
A Remarkable Improvement in Cooling Performance
One of the most significant improvements with our new ice plant has already become evident.
In previous years, it could take approximately 24 to 48 hours to bring the concrete slab down to the required temperature before flooding could begin. This year, thanks to the performance and precision of our new refrigeration system, that process was reduced to just eight hours from the time the plant was brought online to the beginning of flooding.
That is a remarkable improvement.
Our ice technician, Graeme Robson, has now begun the careful process of building the ice, layer by layer. The initial base layer has been applied, and the ice surface has been painted a brilliant white.
Precision Is Everything
Building a curling surface is much more than simply putting water on the floor.
Each layer must be carefully managed. Flooding too quickly can affect the quality of the paint and cause unwanted reactions. Cooling the slab too rapidly, or allowing frost to develop, can also compromise the base paint layer.
This is where the precision of our new ice plant really makes a difference.
The system allows Graeme to make extremely fine adjustments to slab temperatures—down to a tenth of a degree—providing an unprecedented level of control throughout the ice-making process.
Layer by layer, the ice surface will continue to develop until we achieve the consistent, carefully prepared playing surface our members expect.
Intelligent Monitoring Through SENSORI®
Our new ice plant is managed through the SENSORI® control platform, giving our ice team the ability to monitor virtually every facet of the refrigeration system.
The system can be monitored both locally and remotely, providing real-time information and allowing adjustments to be made as conditions change.
The new plant also incorporates multiple levels of redundancy. Several compressors can operate independently and come online as required, helping distribute the refrigeration demand and providing additional system resilience.
Learning From the Ice
One of the exciting capabilities of the new system is its ability to record and analyze historical operating data.
Graeme can now examine how the ice surface responds to different variables and conditions throughout the season. This includes factors such as:
- The number of curlers on the ice
- Building occupancy
- Indoor air temperature
- Humidity levels
- Refrigerant flow rates
- Slab and ice temperatures
- Conditions within the closed-loop glycol system
- Temperature readings from sensors located throughout the refrigeration system
- Strategically positioned sensors beneath the ice and throughout the refrigeration system provide a continuous stream of information. This allows our ice team to better understand how the surface responds to changing conditions and make subtle adjustments when necessary.
A New Level of Control
What we are seeing already is a significant evolution in how our ice can be managed.
Rather than simply reacting to changing conditions, our new system provides the information and precision needed to anticipate them, make micro-adjustments, and maintain a more consistent environment for our ice.
The Final Touches
Once the base layer has been established and the ice has reached the required condition, the next phase of preparation begins. The ice surface is carefully laid out and marked, with the house rings, hog lines, advertising, and other markings and textiles added to complete the curling surface.
Each step brings us closer to the moment we have all been waiting for. The final preparation ensures the ice is ready for the demands of a full curling season and provides our members with a clean, consistent, and professional playing surface.
And then, after months of planning, construction, testing, and preparation, there is only one thing left to do:
Bring in the curlers and get the season underway!
The ice is ready. The plant is running. The hard work has paid off.
For our members, the goal is simple: better ice, greater consistency, improved efficiency, and a better curling experience.
Now, all that’s left… is to CURL.
Why It Matters
While much of this work happens behind the scenes, the impact will be felt every time a stone hits the ice. Better consistency, improved performance, and enhanced efficiency are just the beginning. Stay informed and up to date by continuing to monitor our progress throughout the summer here and on all our social media platforms!
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None of this happens without you!
The Forest Curling and Social Club is proud to be backed by an amazing network of members, local businesses, and community organizations who continue to step up in a big way.
Your support is what allows projects like this to move from idea to reality. From our dedicated members to our valued business partners and local organizations, this initiative simply would not be possible without your generosity, commitment, and belief in what we’re building together.
Because of you, we're not just upgrading our facility — we're investing in the future of our club and our community.
The Team
Dave Norris, Project Chair
Graeme Robson, Manager |
Mike Kuley, Treasurer
Roger Hay, Fundraising |
Bill Shea, Fundraising
Mike Ash, Fundraising |
