Construction begins on Abbotsford Recreation Centre’s energy efficiency upgrades
ABBOTSFORD — The City of Abbotsford says construction of energy efficiency upgrades at the Abbotsford Recreation Centre (ARC) are getting underway this week. The upgrades, funded in collaboration with the federal and provincial governments are expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality, and enhance the community facility’s sustainability.
The project involves retrofitting ARC’s HVAC system to integrate heating systems throughout the building. Waste heat from the aquatic centre and arena will be captured and redistributed to reduce energy consumption by 40% and greenhouse gas emissions by 70%. Upgrades will also improve ventilation and temperature consistency, particularly in the pool area.
The upgrades are part of the $8.65 million Heat Recovery and Optimization (HeRO) project. The project includes accessibility upgrades, such as wheelchair pool lifts which were completed in the fall of 2023. Funding is supported by $4.45 million from the federal Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program and $4.2 million from the provincial Growing Communities Fund.
“These upgrades through the ARC HeRO project will not only help us to significantly reduce our carbon footprint but will also create a more comfortable experience for residents at our community’s largest recreation facility,” said Mayor Ross Siemens. “Abbotsford Recreation Centre is an extremely popular and well-used facility, contributing significantly to the health and livability of our community.”
