Leader staff

New exterior LED lights and two sets of re-usable ice liners at the Multi Rec Centre should save the Town of Slave Lake some money on its power bills.

The town paid for the upgrades with the help of grants from a program called Municipal Climate Change Action Centre (MCCAC).

That’s a joint project of the Government of Alberta, Alberta Municipalities and Rural Municipalities of Alberta – organizations that represent urban and rural municipalities, respectively.

According to a recent news release from the town, the project saw the installation of ice liners in both arenas 1 and 2. These take the place of what used to be done with paint. In the off-season they are rolled up and stored on site.

The liners “significantly” reduce energy, the town says, as well as saving money by eliminating the need to buy paint every year. They are expected to last at least 30 years.

“They also shorten ice installation and removal time,” says the release.

As for the LED lights, they are well known for using less power than the older type, which in this case are “metal halide fixtures.”

The upgrades demonstrate the town’s commitment to investing in projects that improve operational efficiency, reduce costs, and support environmental sustainability, says Director of Community Services for the town, Joe Dixon.

“We are grateful to MCCAC’s funding supporting projects that benefit both our community and the environment.”