Canada Games Aquatic Centre Chosen as Pilot for Solar Panel Program

Saint John, NB – The Canada Games Aquatic Centre has been chosen by the City of Saint John as the pilot facility for their solar panel program. In recent years, the impacts of climate change have become more and more apparent. As a coastal city, Saint John has been impacted by unpredictable weather, historic flooding, and rising sea levels. 

“The Solar Photovoltaic (PV) installation at the Canada Games Aquatic Centre is aligned with the City of Saint John Climate Change Action to achieve Net Zero by 2040 for the Corporate Operation. We are excited to implement this initiative to help us transition to low carbon economy. Funding of this project is partially funded under the Low Carbon Economy Fund (LCEF), which is administered by the federal government’s department of Environment and Climate Change Canada,” said Samir Yammine, Manager of Asset and Energy Management for the City of Saint John.

This is the first solar panel initiative of the City of Saint John and is estimated to generate 8 kW of electricity for the Canada Games Aquatic Centre facility. The total cost of the installation will be $47,000, with 40% of that cost covered by the LCEF. Following a Request for Proposals through the City’s procurement process, the project was awarded to FCC Construction.

“FCC Construction (Part of the OSCO Group of Companies) is pleased to be able to offer our solar expertise to the City of Saint John for their Photovoltaic System installation initiative at the Canada Games Aquatic Centre,” said Pat Bagley, Electrical Manager with FCC Construction.

The City of Saint John Climate Change Action Plan was approved by Saint John Common Council in May 2019. The City has become a recognized leader across the country for environmental leadership, taking action to address demands on energy infrastructure, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and support sustainability efforts through active transportation, stewardship of Saint John’s green spaces, waste reduction, transit, and green infrastructure.

“We are so pleased the Canada Games Aquatic Centre was chosen as the pilot location for this important initiative. We will be monitoring savings to our energy costs and are thankful to have the opportunity to assist in reducing the City’s carbon footprint through the use of solar energy,” said Amy McLennan, General Manager of the Canada Games Aquatic Centre.  

Installation of the solar panels is currently underway.