Community Recreation Facility Energy Reduction Feasibility Study

The Town of Pincher Creek will assess the feasibility of renewable energy sources and water and energy conservation measures to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, operating costs and improve the energy efficiency of its multi-purpose sports and recreation facility, containing a pool and arena. Increased operating costs are making it difficult to support year-round recreational services. In addition, the current ammonia-based thermal system of the facility’s arena discharges residual heat into the atmosphere. The Town will explore options and technologies such as solar panels, a geothermal heat exchange system, a wind turbine, a heat recovery system, automated controls to regulate temperature and energy loads, and, the replacement of water fixtures with low flow models. Today, the facility operates completely on energy from non-renewable fossil fuel. The Town estimates that a retrofit of the facility and arena with renewable energy and/or energy conservation measures would reduce annual net GHG emissions by an estimated 221 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e), or by 30 percent. The installation of ultra low-flow water fixtures is estimated to lower net annual water consumption by 300 m3, or by 20 percent. Finally, the Town estimates that a heat recovery system would decrease emissions of nitrous oxide (NOx), ammonia (NH3) and sulphur dioxide (SO2).