Norwich - The Ice Rink Authority hopes to make a case to the City Council in two weeks to fund an estimated $70,000 to replace the run-down chiller unit in the rink's cooling system in time to reopen the rink for the busy hockey and figure skating season in August.

The request will come at a time when the authority also learned that Travelers Insurance denied coverage of any of the costs associated with the first rink mechanical malfunction Feb. 13, saying the tube rupture and ammonia spill was caused by wear and tear on the aging system and corrosion, authority Chairman Francois "Pete" Desaulniers said. That brings the total debt the rink owes the city for operational shortfalls over the years to about $400,000.

During a special meeting Tuesday to discuss how best to repair the rink from a second tube failure May 6, authority members quickly abandoned a plan to replace all the more than 300 tubes to get the rink reopened quickly. Three engineering companies consulted on that concept rejected the idea and said it could cost nearly as much as replacing the chiller unit.

Instead, the authority obtained cost estimates from the three different companies to replace the chiller unit where the tubes are located. The project is expected to cost $60,000 to $70,000. If the project is considered a repair of the cooling system, the authority would not have to go out to bid for the work, Desaulniers said.

But the authority still would have to make a case for city support for the funding. Authority member Cheryl Ritacco will outline the options the authority has at hand - including plugging damaged tubes and reopening with the risk of another failure, closing for the summer and replacing the chiller unit or closing the rink indefinitely.

"Closing the rink, it shouldn't come to that," authority member and past chairman Michael Goldblatt said.

He argued that for the $60,000 repair, the city would reopen what is now a $5 million asset. Others added that the rink generates business and taxes for the city with its many programs.

Desaulniers said the city cannot sell the rink because of the structure of the original bond to build it.

A fourth company will examine the rink on Thursday, and the authority plans to hold a special meeting next Tuesday to finalize its recommendations. Desaulniers will ask that the authority's presentation be placed on the June 17 City Council agenda.

"I'd rather say 'this summer is a wash (out), and let's get up and running and be able to stay running for fall," Ritacco said.

c.bessette@theday.com