Kingston is first in Canada to install clean-tech dehumidifier at ice rink

The City of Kingston is piloting and testing a Liquid Desiccant Dehumidifier (LDD) system at the INVISTA Centre—a Canadian first for municipal ice rinks. 

This project reflects the City’s commitment to environmental leadership, cost-effective infrastructure and improved community amenities.  

A greener approach to ice rink operations 

Unlike traditional dehumidification systems, which rely on natural gas heating, the LDD uses a liquid desiccant and heat pump technology to dry the air. 

“The system replaces the need for a gas dehumidifier,” explains Russell Horne, Manager of Facilities Energy & Asset Management for the City. “Instead, it uses a special fluid that absorbs moisture from the air. Once that fluid becomes saturated, it’s regenerated by heating it through a heat pump. That process causes the moisture to evaporate and be released as water vapour, and the fluid is reused.” 

Based on energy modeling, the LDD is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 100 tonnes per year and save an estimated $7000 in annual operating costs. Horne emphasized that this is a “cleaner, more efficient approach” that replaces natural gas use with electricity, aligning with the City’s sustainability goals.  

Local partnerships, local innovation 

The LDD has been installed on two of the four ice pads at the INVISTA Centre. The two sides of the facility are identical in terms of layout, equipment and usage, which offers a unique opportunity to test and compare the new system against the traditional units still operating on the other pads.  

This made-in-Kingston project was developed through a collaboration between the City, Modern Niagara and St. Lawrence College (SLC).  

Modern Niagara designed and manufactured the LDD at its Kingston facility in partnership with Florida-based Blue Frontier, an air treatment company. Students from SLC will perform the measurement and verification of energy savings estimates generated by energy modeling software.   

Designed for comfort and future growth 

The system is designed to be seamless for arena users. Improved humidity control is expected to benefit athletes, spectators and staff.  

Horne adds, “If it’s working as well as expected, no one will know any different—it will just be less humid.”  

Looking ahead, Horne hopes to expand the use of the LDD system to other municipal arenas and recreational facilities. The technology is not limited to ice rinks—it also has applications for pool facilities and other humidity-sensitive environments.  

The system was previously showcased during the 2024 Kingston Climate Expo. Residents interested in learning more about the LDD are welcome to reach out to Russell Horne at rhorne@cityofkingston.ca.