Features

Berkeley Iceland has received a 15-day extension to submit a plan to bring its 64-year-old skating rink up to code. 

Last month the Berkeley Fire Department had given Iceland officials until Jan. 8 to propose a remedy for its ammonia-based refrigeration system or face a possible closure. 

Ammonia, a common refrigerant for skating rinks, is a toxic gas that can be lethal and turn combustible when mixed with oil. Iceland’s system however lacks many of the safeguards city codes require. 

Iceland sought a 30-day delay to present their plan, citing that their engineer had experienced a personal emergency. In response the Fire Department extended the deadline to Jan. 24, said Deputy Chief David Orth. 

To satisfy the city’s concerns, Iceland must either upgrade their ammonia system or install a new ammonia system. Another option would be to install a Freon-based system, estimated to cost between $200,000 and $300,000.