Spray Lake Sawmills (SLS) Family Sports Centre flexed its fiscal muscles for council on Dec. 10, and is asking for approval to upgrade the lighting systems in the gymnasium and turf field house.
The sports centre recently purchased a new de-humidifier for their arenas, projecting a cost of $300,000 for the new device. Cochrane council had previously approved half the funding for the acquisition in the amount of $150,000; the remaining 50 per cent came from Rocky View County (RVC) council.
Savings, however, was achieved, and the SLS Centre’s final bill rang in at $246,000, leaving approximately $22,000 from the town in unused funds.
With the total cost of the lighting project expected to be somewhere under $20,000, Robin Mitchell, SLS Centre general manager, said he would like to employ the 50/50 cost-sharing approach with the town and the county once again.
The new bulbs Mitchell intends to purchase are the same T-5 lighting system now found in Totem 1, which are cooler and more cost efficient, but also much brighter.
“The difference in the lighting is amazing,” said town councillor Jeff Toews, comparing the T-5s with the currently used halogen variety.
The T-5s are estimated to use 50-60 per cent of the total energy required of halogen lights.
The lighting project is part of an overall lifecycle replacement plan, which is intended to keep on top of all maintenance and efficiency upgrades at the centre.
Mitchell said they have ordered the lights and that they intend to begin installation in late January to early February, depending on the availability of the electrician.
Council unanimously approved the request, pending approval from RVC council, which OK’d the motion during their Dec. 11 meeting.
