A 124-tonne Liebherr crane has arrived on-site this Tuesday (28th January) to begin the complex task of removing the old, 25-year-old water cooling tower and replacing it with two state-of-the-art air coolers. This crucial step marks the final phase of a seven figure investment in a brand new ice plant by owner Michael O’Rourke. Having taken over the business in 2023, a commitment was made to removing the original ice plant which has been in the venue since 1999 and upgrading it with a much more efficient replacement. Once completed, the new ice plant will be ready to serve the business for decades to come.
The crane, one of the largest in Europe for such a task, has an impressive 58-meter reach and a lifting capacity of 450 tonnes, making it more than capable of handling the heavy load of the cooling tower removal and installation of the new equipment. Its sheer size are necessary to safely lift and position the new equipment, which is critical to the functioning of the upgraded ice plant.
Once this phase of the 8 month project is successfully completed, the focus will shift to commissioning the new ice plant and de-commissioning of the temporary plant that has been on site since September. The project team will conduct a series of tests to ensure the plant runs as planned. After commissioning, the ice plant will be handed over in Q1 of 2025, marking the end of a significant investment in modernising the facility and ensuring it remains at the cutting edge of ice for years to come.
