Star turn at Aberdeen Curling Rink.
Star Refrigeration has confirmed its position as the market leader in ice systems for the UK leisure industry, with the completion of a world class curling rink in Aberdeen.
Over the past 35 years, Star has designed and installed refrigeration systems for over 70% of the UK’s ice rinks. The cooling solutions specialist has also designed and built a range of ice-climbing walls and ice-based visitor attractions for the leisure industry clients.
Star’s latest ice system was developed for the new Curl Aberdeen facility in Summerhill, Aberdeen. The purpose built indoor facility is North East Scotland’s main centre for the traditional winter sport of curling.
The building houses a large six sheet curling rink with a total floor space of 1,350 metres square.
Star designed an ice system that would provide optimum coverage across the entire curling rink floor. It was vital that the surface of the rink was level and that the temperature, quality and hardness of the ice remained even and constant.
Star¹s ice system for Curl Aberdeen comprises an ammonia refrigeration plant connected to specially designed flooring. The plant chills glycol to a low temperature prior to circulation through a network of cooling pipes embedded in the ice rink floor.
Rob Lamb, Sales Director of Star Refrigeration, says: “Curl Aberdeen is another example of Star’s expertise in providing world class ice for sport and recreation. Star has over three decades of experience in ice rink design and installation. We are dedicated to providing rink operators with reliable, efficient and easily maintained ice systems.”
Star’s refrigeration plant for Curl Aberdeen is a packaged chiller with a cooling capacity of 253kW. It features twin reciprocating compressors, a patented low pressure receiver and plate and shell heat exchanger.
Curl Aberdeen is now approaching the end of its first full season (September to April). The centre is home to 27 curling clubs and also features changing rooms, lounge, bar and catering facilities.
The new facility was visited by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in October 2005. The Queen enjoyed a curling display and unveiled a commemorative plaque to mark the official opening.
Curl Aberdeen is the latest in a long line of ice rink and specialist ice projects for Star. Previous specialist leisure ice installations include the world’s largest indoor ice-climbing wall at The Ice Factor in the West Highlands of Scotland in 2003. Star has also designed and built unique ice-based visitor attractions at Our Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh and The Deep in Hull.
Star Refrigeration is the UK’s largest independent industrial refrigeration engineering company. Star focuses on the design, manufacture, installation, commissioning and maintenance of industrial refrigeration systems. The company offers a turnkey package to all users of refrigeration plant.
Star’s technical advisory arm, Star Technical Solutions (STS), operates as an independent consultancy providing advise on refrigeration engineering issues. Star also owns food freezing and chilling equipment specialist Starfrost, as well as mechanical and electrical contractors Penec.
