Work is well underway on the South Haven Ice Rink and pavilion as the city installs new underground chillers to help make operation of the rink each winter much simpler.

The city council in February approved the work, which involves sinking the chiller elements into concrete so it will no longer be necessary to build a large gravel base and install new coils at the rink each year. Crews have been at the site this week, requiring around 25 cement mixers to produce what was needed to pour 300 yards of concrete to serve as the rink and as a pad for a new pavilion being constructed.

The work is being done in phases with the first to be completed in time for the use of the pavilion by the popular farm market in the summer months. The second phase will be completed in time for next winter’s ice-skating season.

The project also involves some parking improvement at the facility.