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Cops for Cancer rider Kyle Slavin hosts funny fundraiser for Tour de Rock. Page A13
Castaway Wanderers rugby player part of powerful provincial youth program. Page A14
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
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Flipping the switch New energy manager finds funding efficiencies for recreation centres Christine van Reeuwyk News staff
Ken Olson thinks of himself as “thrifty.” His saving ways are cutting costs and energy use in the recreation sector of Oak Bay and are set to expand beyond. “This (rec centre) could be a huge burden on the municipality,” he said, seated in the Sports View lounge at Oak Bay rec centre. “We try to be as high a ‘user-pay’ as we can.” As maintenance manager for 18 years, he delved into energy savings as a budget reduction technique and it came naturally. Projects like heat capture from the ice plant for reuse on site dates back to the late 1990s. About six months ago, Olson became the operations and energy coordinator for Recreation Oak Bay, funded in part through a B.C. Hydro grant. “Through his work now in that role, and his interaction with B.C. Hydro, the suggestion is that we would conduct another energy study to determine what other opportunities there are in the district to save money,” said Ray Herman, director of parks and recreation. “We’re going to be able to fund it from rebate incentives B.C. Hydro is providing through some of the projects that we’ll be completing this year.” Since a 2009 energy study, Recreation Oak Bay has installed an ultraviolet system in the pool, replaced lighting in all buildings, replaced boilers at Henderson and Monterey rec centres and just last week, new motion sensor lights went in at the arena and indoor sports field.
Looking in a new direction Brian Pavlicic, left, and Niki Powers study the cairn on top of Gonzales lookout last week. The duo were out enjoying the long awaited sunshine and checking out the viewpoints.
PLEASE SEE: Energy use cut in half, Page A5
Sharon Tiffin/News staff
Get Your Smile Ready for Summer In-office bleaching available
Dr Cheryl Handley New patients and emergencies welcome Family & Cosmetic Dentistry 2108 Oak Bay Ave • Tel: 250 598 1313