Strathcona Gardens is acting as a shining example for local governments across B.C.
Lorne Parker, manager of operations at the Gardens, revealed that a new energy loop at the recreation complex is being featured as an example of how to cut down on energy consumption.
“The success story is now published in the BC Climate Action Toolkit,” Parker wrote in a report to the Strathcona Gardens Commission.
The Toolkit provides B.C. communities with best practices and practical advice on how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help meet communities’ Climate Action Charter commitments.
The energy loop was installed at Strathcona Gardens in March.
The system channels waste heat from the facility’s ammonia compressor room, which makes ice for the two arenas, and uses it to heat the swimming pools.
It’s expected to save taxpayers $50,000-$60,000 annually in heating costs.
That caught the attention of the Toolkit which got in touch with Strathcona Gardens staff in the spring.
Parker subsequently agreed to provide pictures and information highlighting the success of the energy loop.
The feature story was then published on the BC Climate Action Toolkit website on July 2.
According to the article, the energy loop will save between 11,000 and 13,000 gigajoules of natural gas energy every year which will amount to between 561,000 to 663,000 kilograms of CO2 reductions per year.
The story credits Parker with initiating the retrofit by researching the energy loop system and then exploring funding options.
The energy loop is valued at $329,750 but $299,750 of that was funded through the federal Gas Tax Fund.
The remaining balance was paid for by the Strathcona Regional District.
The energy loop has been built so that any potential future expansions to Strathcona Gardens can still be connected to the current infrastructure.
Future expansions and subsequent connections to the energy loop could include air handling units, and preheating domestic water and snow melting pits for the ice cleaning machines.
To see the BC Climate Action Toolkit’s story on the energy loop visit, www.toolkit.bc.ca and look under the ‘what’s new’ section.