Changes are coming to the Allan and Jean Millar Centre and JDA Place that should help improve the energy efficiency of these facilities.
Whitecourt town council has approved three energy efficiency projects yet to be completed from a 2016 audit of the Alan and Jean Millar Centre and JDA Place. Town officials say the audit was conducted with the goal of identifying energy conservation measures that could reduce the facilities’ energy consumptions levels which would save on utility costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The three projects identified are:
- Replacing the McLeod Arena roof in JDA Place.
- Installing a REALice system for the rinks at JDA Place.
- Replacing two boilers at the Alan and Jean Millar Centre.
Town officials say the McLeod Arena roof currently has R-0/R-5 insulation, and the replacement will have R-20 insulation.
The REALice system being installed for the rinks at JDA Place is a high-precision water treatment system that makes better ice at lower costs. Experts say this system eliminates the need for hot water when building or resurfacing ice, leading to many benefits, including:
- Reduced draw on compressors & boilers.
- Less dehumidifier run time.
- Less rust on structural beams.
- Less ice cleans needed.
- Less condensation in the arena.
- Less water used and wasted.
- Longer life-cycle on equipment.
Officials say these two projects have a combined estimated greenhouse gas reduction of 10.21 per cent, estimated lifetime greenhouse gas reductions of 1,838.59 tonnes of CO2, and an estimated abatement rate of $195.32/tCO2e per lifetime.
The Allan and Jean Millar Centre is currently using two, 4-Million BTU open vent boilers, that only run at about 70 per cent efficiency, to heat both the aquatics operations and pool waters as well as hydronic heating for the 68,000 square foot facility. Officials say these units will be replaced with four, 1.5-Million BTU condensing boilers that run at about 95 per cent efficiency, resulting in a loss of 2-Million BTUs.
It is estimated this project will result in an 18.07 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions for the Allan and Jean Millar Centre, and a lifetime greenhouse gas emission reduction of 11,022.63 tonnes of CO2, and an abatement of $30.42/tCO2e per lifetime.
Officials believe these projects will lead to savings of about $25,000 over the current 20-Year Life Cycle Recreation Facilities Major Maintenance Plan, increase the efficiency of energy components and extend the life span.
Town officials say they applied for funding support from the Community Energy Conservation (CEC) Program through the Municipal Climate Change Action Centre in June; their application was successful and the CEC program will be covering 50 per cent ($345,214.00) of the cost of these three projects.
Council unanimously voted to approve the final budget of $695,252 along with an additional $60,551 from the Recreation Major Maintenance Facilities Reserve.
