October 27, 2023 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AIRDRIE, ALBERTA – The City of Airdrie is pleased to announce the installation of a higher-efficiency ice system (REALice) at Ron Ebbesen Twin Arenas. This allows the ice to be flooded with cold water instead of hot for increased energy savings and improved ice quality.
“This upgrade represents one of several steps the City is taking to reduce its environmental impacts,” says Mayor Peter Brown. “The grant funding we received from the Municipal Climate Change Action Centre and Government of Alberta made this project possible and supports Airdrie in environmental leadership and creating improved user experiences in our facilities.”
“Recreation facilities – ice rinks especially – typically use more energy and produce more greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions than other municipal facilities. The REALice system will help the City reduce its GHG emissions by 64 tons per year,” says Joad Clement, Municipal Energy Advisor.” Hot water contains fewer air bubbles, producing stronger and smoother ice. However, this system eliminates the need for hot water by removing air bubbles in cold water.
The Municipal Climate Change Action Centre’s (MCCAC) Recreation Energy Conservation (REC) program provided nearly 78 per cent of the funding for the $72,946 project, which included the installation of a new pump and water lines in the facility. The City estimates an annual utility cost savings of $12,000 from the addition of the REALice system.
“We expect regular users will notice small positive differences in the ice,” says Stephane Rainville, Team Leader, City Arenas. “The arena lines are more visible for players and the public because the installation produces brighter ice,” says Rainville. “Additionally, the system lowers the wear and tear on the arena’s refrigeration plant, which provides longer-term cost savings for the facility above and beyond the annual natural gas and electricity savings.”
About the Recreation Energy Conservation (REC) program
The REC program helps Alberta municipalities reduce energy use and GHG emissions in their recreation facilities by providing grant funding for energy-saving projects. Through REC, municipalities can receive rebates for scoping audits and engineering studies that support investment decisions in addition to implementation project rebates for implementing energy-efficient retrofits in their facilities.
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Media contact:
Stephane Rainville
Team Leader, City Arenas
403.948.8804 ext: 5548
Stephane.Rainville@airdrie.ca