The results are in for a professional energy modeling study conducted on the Millenium Exhibition Centre (MEC) in Altona.
The study was the final phase in a three-year community climate project between a local working group and industry experts to identify climate actions and opportunities in the community, and funded, in part, through a $50,000 grant from the Manitoba Climate Action Team.
The focus was to uncover future opportunities for geo-thermal integration and energy capture from the hockey arena and curling rink.
"The purpose was to determine the feasibility of recovering heat from the ice plant and use it, either directly or store it, for heating the facility with water-sourced heat pumps which would also provide cooling," explained Mayor Harv Schroeder.
In the end, the study revealed that replacing the MEC's current H-VAC system with this alternative system would cost $2.6 million and only result in annual savings of less than $15,000.
So, what now?
"There is no action being taken, but this information will be considered when the H-VAC systems approach the end of their life," said Schroeder. "We weren't prepared to be spending over two million dollars to get rid of equipment that's still working. It would be a long term, 30 years or so, to recover the costs of what we would have to put in."
Phase 1 of the effort kicked off with a community workshop in May 2022 where members of the community-at-large were able to offer feedback following a presentation on carbon emissions in Manitoba and discuss where the local group should focus its energy.
Then from January to May 2023, a new volunteer group was guided by MCAT experts through a building energy audit of the Millenium Exhibition Centre (MEC). From there, a $7,500 grant was used for a medium-scale project based on those findings. The team ended up purchasing digital thermostats, waste diversion bins, and perennials for the recreation facility.