A switch to LED lighting for the PMD arena is under consideration by the township.
At the June 9 meeting, council authorized signing a letter of agreement with Conrad Lighting Solutions and Acuity Brands Canada to conduct an investment grade audit for a lighting retrofit project at the facility.
The company is an approved service provider for Local Authority Service (LAS) which assists municipalities in the procurement, finance and operation of energy-saving LED technology and other services.
Public works director Brad McRoberts explained the township requested LAS perform a lighting retrofit audit of the PMD Arena, which resulted in a proposal from Conrad Lighting Solutions and Acuity Brands Canada received on May 26.
The report indicates annual savings resulting from a retrofit for the arena floor area, including 18 fixtures, would be over $7,000.
“With a capital cost of $39,700, less a Save on Energy Incentive of $4,125, the payback period would be less than four years,” notes McRoberts in his report.
“As LAS has undergone a detailed request for proposal process on behalf of Ontario municipalities to ensure good quality service and value, staff do not believe that the retrofitting work needs to be tendered,” the report explains.
As the 2015 capital budget includes $50,000 for the lighting retrofit, the proposed scope of work is “well below the budgeted amount,” the report states.
In an email to the Community News, McRoberts explained that if the audit indicates the proposed cost is accurate, the municipality can either proceed based on the price provided, or decline and pay for the full cost of the investment grade audit (to a maximum of $3,500).
‘More illumination’
If the cost is significantly different the municipality may either accept the new cost or decline and only pay a small portion of the audit cost, if any, depending upon how much the price changes.
Councillor Dennis Craven asked if the LED lights would will be as bright as the existing lighting at the arena.
McRoberts explained the company asks in advance if the currently lighting is too bright, too low or just right.
“Basically we said it’s too low, so we’re hoping to get more illumination.”
