The Hurricanes’ game against the Red Wings that was postponed Monday was due to an "issue with a PNC Arena cooling system that was repaired for leaks a few months ago," according to Chip Alexander of the Raleigh NEWS & OBSERVER. Documents from the Centennial Authority, the arena's landlord, show ice-plant repairs "were made for refrigerant leaks on the CIMCO cooling system and three compressors in late August and early September." The system was "first tested for leaks in July, then the repairs were made." The total cost of testing and repairs was $81,145. Hurricanes President Don Waddell yesterday said that the problem was "not related to any of the previous repairs, calling it 'completely new, a freak thing that has never happened before.'” Authority Exec Dir Jeff Merritt said that Johnson Controls "handled the repairs a few months ago and were at the arena Tuesday inspecting the damaged part of the system." Waddell added that there are a "few options for rescheduling the game," though he did not mention any specific dates. Alexander notes the CIMCO system is "common among NHL teams," as 18 "have the cooling systems in their rinks." The NHL has "designated CIMCO as the preferred supplier of refrigeration equipment for ice skating facilities" (Raleigh NEWS & OBSERVER, 12/21).
