THEBACHA/FORT SMITH - The arena in Fort Smith has lost its artificial ice due to a mechanical problem.

However, Fort Smith Centennial Arena continues to operate with natural ice thanks to recent cold temperatures.

"The weatherman has helped," said Mayor Janie Hobart.

She said there has been no interruption to hockey, figure skating and speedskating.

The facility has been without artificial ice since Dec. 5.

Hobart said a brine pump failed at the arena.

Brine - basically salt water - is pumped through a series of pipes to deliver coolant as part of the ice-making process.

Hobart said the pump has been sent to CIMCO Refrigeration in Edmonton for evaluation, and it will be either repaired or replaced.

It is unknown how long the repairs will take or at what cost, but the mayor is confident the arena will remain open until the problem is fixed.

"We'll be continuing to operate throughout the holiday season," she said, adding that many arenas in the NWT operate throughout the winter with natural ice.

"There are only four communities in the Northwest Territories that have artificial ice," she said, including Yellowknife, Hay River, Inuvik and Fort Smith.