Rocky Mountain House Mayor Tammy Burke speaks at a special event this week to reopen the local aquatic centre. (Town of Rocky Mountain House)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

closed for 5 months

Reduced energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions highlights of reopened aquatic centre

Sep 12, 2020 | 12:40 PM

The Credit Union Co-Op Aquatic Centre, revamped with energy efficient combined heat and power units and boilers, got a grand reopening this week in Rocky Mountain House.

The centre was closed from March 18 to August 31 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however the Town took advantage of that time to complete major improvements to the facility’s mechanical systems.

“This council’s first goal has always been to maintain our community’s assets,” said Mayor Tammy Burke. “We know that requires good stewardship of our resources, partnerships and creative solutions. We also strive to be a collaborative community delivering high-quality services, and an environmental leader. The Combined Heat and Power and Boiler project we are celebrating today meets each of those goals.”

The upgrades are worth $785,000, jointly funded by the Town of Rocky of Mountain House and Clearwater County. That includes a $531,000 investment from the Municipal Climate Change Action Centre and its Recreation Energy Conservation Program.

“We applaud and thank the Town of Rocky Mountain House for their leadership in achieving real savings and real change through the installation and use of these highly efficient systems, and hope this project inspires municipalities across Alberta to follow in their footsteps,” said Calvin Lechelt, program lead.

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Electricity generated by the new units will displace power previously purchased from the grid. Heat recovered will displace gas consumption, and the two high-efficiency boilers enable efficient use of natural gas.

The project will save $43,000 per year on utility fees, and result in a 222-tonne reduction in annual greenhouse has emissions.

Additionally, the Town installed new sand filters and sound baffles as part of its 2020 Capital Improvement program.

“We are so happy to welcome swimmers back to the Credit Union Co-op Aquatic Centre,” said Mayor Burke during a celebration on Thursday. “The CHP project is saving money and greenhouse gas emissions. Thank you to all of our partners for this important step forward for our community.”