Norwich – The final bills to repair the failed cooling system at the Norwich Municipal Ice Rink totaled $74,209, more than the Ice Rink Authority expected, and the amount does not include lost revenues.

Authority Chairman Francois "Pete" Desaulniers said he will be meeting soon with city Comptroller Joseph Ruffo and representatives from Traveler's Insurance Co. to determine how much of the repair bills and lost revenues will be covered by insurance.

The rink was closed for a month starting Feb. 13, when the cooling system broke down and caused an ammonia leak in the building. Numerous high school hockey games, hockey tournaments, figure skating sessions, public skating and youth programs were canceled during that time.

The authority voted Wednesday to extend free ice time to the St. Bernard's/Norwich Free Academy/Bacon Academy hockey team, Southeastern Connecticut Youth Hockey and the Rose City Warriors to cover their lost ice time and revenues from tournaments. The free time will total more than the hours lost as a "goodwill gesture," authority members said.

The rink will have free public skating sessions Sunday from 1 to 2:20 p.m.– with reduced $3 skate rentals – to extend the goodwill to the public.