BC Celebrates Energy-Saving Rec Center With Open House

BATTLE CREEK (WWJ) -- A parks and recreation center in Battle Creek was to hold a community open house Wednesday night after a $1.3 million energy saving project managed by Framingham, Mass.-based Ameresco Inc.

The project is expected to save the city $85,000 a year in energy and maintenance costs.

The project included a new energy-efficient water heating system for hot water and an indoor pool, a new controls sytem, and installation of renewable energy features, such as solar energy for the outdoor pool.

"At first the complexity of implementing an energy performance contract, as well as monitoring the results, seemed like a daunting task. but Ameresco has simplified the process by clearly identifying the inefficiencies in our systems and the straightforward ways in which we can produce more efficient results," said Jeff Hovarter, director of parks and recreation for Battle Creek. "I believe it is important for the city and its recreation department to take a proactive role in reducing energy consumption and we feel by partnering with Ameresco, we can utilize taxpayer dollars in the most efficient, effective and environmentally responsible way."

The annual emissions reduction from this project is expected to be approximately 332 metric tons of CO2, the equivalent of taking 366 cars off the road or powering 42 homes each year.

Full Blast Recreation Center, located in downtown Battle Creek across from McCamly Plaza Hotel, is an 88,000-square-foot, multi-purpose recreation facility featuring a full service fitness center, locker rooms, indoor walking track, three large gymnasiums, batting cages, and multi-purpose space. For more information, please visit www.bcparks.org.