Norwich - The Ice Rink Authority Monday night mapped out a plan to reopen the rink and start earning revenues that could help pay for some of the costs associated with mechanical problems that closed the rink twice this spring.

The rink authority will use the $80,000 approved by the City Council last week to rent a temporary chiller unit to reopen the rink in mid-August and to purchase a new chiller unit expected to be installed by October.

Authority Chairman Francois "Pete" Desaulniers said the authority chose that path because it will allow the rink to reopen for the start of the busy hockey and figure skating seasons in August. And the changeover from the rented temporary unit to a permanent new chiller can be done in one day with little interruption of service, Desaulniers said.

The rented chiller, costing about $3,000 per month, will be enclosed and sit on a flatbed truck outside the rink.

The new chiller is expected to cost $55,000 to $65,000, Desaulniers said. If the City Council's $80,000 is not enough to cover the entire cost of the rental and the new chiller, Desaulniers said revenues from rink rentals when it reopens will cover part of the cost.

He also hopes to use the new rink revenues to replace the rink's dehumidifier. The dehumidifier helps the chiller be more efficient in freezing the ice.

The authority also is beginning the process of hiring a new rink director. The authority received nine applications for the position, advertised to pay in the "low $50,000" range. The authority will review the applications and narrow the candidates to those the group will interview in closed-door sessions.

Last week, alderman and mayoral candidate Charles Jaskiewicz criticized the rink authority, casting the lone vote against the $80,000 appropriation for not considering turning the rink over to a management firm that would run the entire operation, including capital improvements.

Desaulniers said one of the nine rink director applicants proposes to manage the rink operation, and it will be considered.

"We haven't thrown that out yet," Desaulniers said.

c.bessette@theday.com