The Doug Harvey arena in N.D.G. will be closed for the 2013-2014 winter season as city crews undertake major renovations to the ice rink’s refrigeration system.

The $5.4 million work is part of a citywide initiative to replace the aging Freon-based systems with more environmentally-friendly and energy-efficient mechanisms in many of its older facilities.

The city will also use the winter to upgrade the heating and ventilation systems, paint, and add handicapped access to the arena, which opened in 1970.

The building is closed until the spring of 2014.  Some activities have been moved to the nearby Bill Durnan arena.

Check the city’s webpage at www.ville.montreal.qc.ca for updates.