Rinks at the Okotoks Pason arenas and Recreation Centre recently got an upgrade in the form of new cold water flooding systems.

Known as REALice, the system lowers the temperature required to melt ice surfaces from around 65 degrees celsius to about 20.

In turn, emissions are reduced, and the town saves some money in the process.

The town's climate change and energy specialist Sheri Young says it's actually a pretty cool process.

"This used to take a lot of heat and energy to warm up the water and get all the little micro-bubbles of air out of the water. Now we have this cool new technology that gets all the bubbles out through a vortex, it kind of whips all the little bubbles out."

The town was made aware of the system after a few nearby municipalities made use of it.

"Black Diamond, I think, is our closest neighbour that's got it. They've got lots out in Vancouver, St. Albert. Lots more municipalities are moving forward with this kind of technology for the exact reason that it gives you quality ice for lower electrical cost and lower emissions."

It also doesn't require the town to sacrifice ice quality.

"There were some preconceived notions out there. Somebody said, 'Oh, I don't think the ice is good.' Then we actually talked to people and they were like, 'No the ice is great, and we're saving tonnes of money.' That's a win-win to me," says Young.

It's estimated to reduce emissions by over 300 tonnes of carbon annually and will save the town an estimated $20,000 in utilities.

A rebate from the Municipal Climate Change Action Centre covered 75 per cent of the new system.

According to Young, the Pason's systems will have a one-year payback, and the recreation centre's system will have a two-year payback due to more work having to be done in its plumbing system.