LOWER SACKVILLE, N.S. – The popular Sackville Community Arena is always booked with hockey games and figure skating sessions.
Located in Lower Sackville, a town in Nova Scotia with a population of more than 50,000, the arena is also an expensive facility to run, which is why the operators applied for a federal grant under the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan.
Recently, they received some good news – and a lot of money.
“We got $1.3 million,” said Allan Smith, president of the Lake District Recreation Association, which operates the rink.
That money will cover the cost to make the transition from electricity to solar power later this year. According to Smith, 1,150 solar panels will soon be installed on the roof, making it the first solar-powered arena in Nova Scotia, according to Smith.
The switch could be a game-changer, shaving off more than $14,000 a month in expensive power bills.
“What this is going to do for us is generate income to support the operation long term,” said Smith.
Liberal MP Braedon Clark, who represents the city through the riding of Sackville—Bedford—Preston, said in a statement that arenas like the one in Lower Sackville “are the heart and soul of our communities.”
Minor coach Chris Fraser said the savings should put the arena the arena to thrive and continue to be a community destination for sports events.
“It is the hub of Sackville,” said Fraser. “I have learned about the history of this arena, and we are in a position where we can make this rink strong for another 50 years.”
By making the Sackville Community Arena more sustainable and financially viable, operators plan to use the money they save on renovations.
“No arena makes money because the operating season is too short,” said Smith, who added any extra money brought on the by the savings, will be used for a new concrete pad under the ice surface and upgraded boards. “That alone is another $600,000 project.”
Smith also hopes to pass the savings onto local families, to lower the cost to play sports, for people who use the soon-to-be solar-powered Sackville Community Arena.
