Sparwood Leisure Centre Energy Upgrade

The municipality of Sparwood updated old fragmented heating and lighting infrastructure in the community leisure centre and arena to increase efficiency and help achieve greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets laid out by the municipality.
Success Story Snapshot |
Energy Savings / GHG Reductions: Estimated GHG reduction of 182 tonnes CO2e and 4844 GJ per year compared to 2012 levels, a 47% emissions and energy consumption reduction. |
Business Case: The full $1.48 million will be paid off after 10-15 years in operation. Excluding grant funding, the payback period on annual maintenance and energy savings for the municipality is estimated at 2-5 years. |
Co-benefits: Reinvestment of energy savings back into the community will improve programs for active living, trail development, and improved walkability, which will lead to reduced GHG emissions from vehicle use. |
Total project cost: $1.48 million, with grants covering $1,157,752 ($400,000Provincial Community Recreation Program fund; $757,752 Federal Gas Tax fund). Local taxpayers were responsible for $322,248 of which $223,434 was funded through annual Federal gas tax contributions to the municipality and $96,824 through the Sparwood Recreation Reserve Fund balancing the extra costs. |
Project Summary
- the retrofit of aquatics center and heating systems,
- updating the arena complex’s heating systems and physical plant compressors, and
- transitioning from metal halide lighting systems over to LED lighting systems.
Due to the District’s desire to showcase their commitment to lower their GHG emissions, two retrofit projects were envisioned to update the low efficiency, disjointed and aging infrastructure within the center.
Energy Savings/GHG reductions
Business Case
As all three phases of the system retrofit have only been completed and operational since October 2014, calculations on the return on investment will only begin to emerge in the coming months. The Municipality expects a short payback period of under five years on their own contributions, with an estimated total payback period of 10-12 years. Money saved by the Municipality because of decreased energy consumption as a result of this project will be reinvested in the community and further help to reach goals laid out by the Municipality to reduce GHG emissions in the transportation and buildings sectors.
Co-Benefits
Related Tools
Local Government Contact
Duane Lawrence, Director of Community & Facility Services
Phone: (250) 425-0552
Email: dlawrence@sparwood.ca