How to update outside area of the Arena: Updating the outside of the arena can make the surroundings safer and reduce energy cost. Have you successfully incorporated some of these measures? Let us know and tell your story so that we can share it here and inspire others to take action!
The amount of cars coming and going to an ice arena is staggering. Many vehicles that arrive at the rink only have one user in them. Carpooling options, organizing and dedicated carpooling parking spots could be part of the measure taken to increase rider occupancy per vehicle arriving at the arena. Benefits: Less traffic at the arena Less air pollution Less stress for drivers driving to and finding parking at the arena Opportunity to network with other carpoolers Savings: Cost savings or cost sharing for vehicle fuel CO2 Web resources: 12 park-and-ride locations for Sudbury carpoolers Transport Canada: Carpooling trends in Canada and abroad Transport Canada: The links between public health and sustainable and active transportation
Air pollution is harmful to everyone, but there are some people who are more at risk than others such as Children (14 and under) and older people (65 and older). They are more susceptible to the effects of air pollution and so are people with respiratory conditions, like asthma, or heart problems. Many facilities are introducing no idling zones immediately outside entrances to the building in consideration of air quality for the people who enter and exit. No-idling zones could be used as a way to decrease the level of pollutants those people most at risk are exposed to. Studies show that turning off an engine after 60 seconds will save fuel and reduce GHG emissions. Benefits: Better air quality Avoid burning fuel and producing CO2 emissions Idling for 10 seconds or more uses more fuel and produces more CO2 than restarting the engine Savings: Fuel GHG emissions Web Resources: NRCAN Idling […]
Intelligent parking lot controllers have the potential to produce significant energy savings and could slash the arena’s plug-in expenses up to 50 per cent, yet ensure trouble-free starts for staff or guests. In contrast to earlier types of controllers, they save energy by automatically adjusting power at car plugs as a function of outside temperatures. Above -5° C, outlets receive no power. As the temperature drops, progressively more power is cycled to the outlets. Below -20° C power stays on all the time. Plug power is controlled either from a central panel or by circuitry built inside the receptacle – the so called “intelligent”parking lot controllers that use tell tale lights to show if there is a problem with block heaters or cords. If Yukon government converted all of the 1,603 conventional plug-in outlets it manages to intelligent parking lot control units, it could save approximately 80,206 kilowatts per year. That is roughly […]
Forward thinking arenas can maximize their commitment to the environment, attract and promote better practices by having an EV charger available to arenas. Having an EV charging station sends a message of environmental consciousness to patrons and skaters alike. This lines up quite nicely with the other transportation alternatives to fossil fuel driven cars, such as public transportation, bike racks, ride sharing / carpooling, and premium parking for electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles and carpool vehicles. EV charging stations act as a billboard for sustainability initiatives, and invite people onto the property and provide an immediate talking point. Benefits: Level 2 charging station allows time for people charging their vehicle to come in to the arena and participate in an activity Allows users to top up during their time at the arena There may be rebates available from governments and utility companies Web resources: Arena offers free EV charging How the […]
Arena operators are concerned with the lighting both inside and outside their facilities. Adding LED lights to the arenas’ parking lot will improve safety, discourage crime, and also reduce electricity costs. LED lights produce consistent illumination, range in power level (brightness), and avoid the “hot spots” and areas of shadow that traditional / high-intensity discharge parking area lights can produce. Benefits: Improved safety Reduced energy cost Savings: Electricity
Harvesting solar energy to run the refrigeration plant is one way of reducing our energy costs. There are already a variety of large and small installations across Canada and in other places in the world. Two solar examples: In 2013 a 10 kW solar installation was installed on the roof of the Oilfields Regional Arena, Black Diamond’s local indoor hockey rink. In addition to benefiting the environment, all of the savings achieved as a result of the power being generated from this project are reinvested in the town’s sustainability efforts. The money goes into a Green Fund that is used to fund future renewable energy projects. Another example is the Iqaluit’s Arctic Winter Games Arena Complex. With little moisture in the atmosphere, which means less sunshine is being filtered out a lot of sun energy comes through. (Surprisingly more sun energy comes through than would happen in Southern California.) Solar panels are effective […]
FLO is Canada’s largest electric vehicle (EV) charging network. We operate a comprehensive charging ecosystem that fulfills EV drivers’ needs wherever they may be—at home, at work or on the go—by ensuring a consistently simple and seamless experience.