(L-R) David Glackin – Wilkie Elks, Jen Goodall – Wilkie Curling Club, Kirk Sittler – Wilkie Outlaws, Mayor David Ziegler, MLA Ryan Domotor, Keith Rutley – Wilkie Kinsmen, Rick Cey – Wilkie Minor Hockey. (Submitted photo/Town of Wilkie)

By battlefordsNOW Staff

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Wilkie celebrates completion of solar power upgrade

Dec 6, 2021 | 12:39 PM

The Town of Wilkie can look forward to savings on community facility costs for years to come.

On Friday, dignitaries and staff officially celebrated the completion of Wlikie’s solar upgrade to the Saskcan Community Centre and Ice Plant Power Supply. The project, funded in part by both the federal and provincial governments, totaled more $350,000, where around 500 solar panels and associated equipment were attached to the rooftop to serve a large portion of the Centre’s electricity needs.

Construction was completed on this new infrastructure earlier this fall and it is operational. The facility features two rinks for hockey and curling and a hall for community functions.

The federal government is contributing just over $141,000 toward the project, with just over $117,000 coming from the province. The federal portion is under the Investing In Canada Infrastructure program.

The Town is funding the remainder of the project.

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In a statement, the Hon. Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities, said projects like this will not only help reach emissions-reduction targets, but enable municipalities to reduce costs and improve residents quality of life.

“Our government will continue to partner with municipalities, provinces and territories to help communities become more resilient in the face of climate change and lead the transition to a low-carbon economy,” he said.

Ryan Domotor, MLA for Cut Knife–Turtleford, spoke on behalf of Minister of Government Relations Don McMorris.

“The Saskcan Community Centre is an important place for people from Wilkie and the surrounding rural municipalities to gather for events that will continue to create positive lasting memories.”

Speaking to battlefordsNOW, Mayor David Ziegler said they’re excited to have completed and the project and are pleased with how well the process went.

“Probably one of the smoother projects we’ve ever been involved with and the company was easy to work with,” he said. “And the company was very easy to work with.”

Operating costs for the facility had been a concern prior to the project. Ziegler said the solar panel installation will save between $15,000-18,000 on the roughly $70,000 annual cost, which can towards other areas like the swimming pool.

“There’s quite a number of areas that we could put the money into,” he said.

With this upgrade out of the way, the Town will continue work on their third phase of storm sewer refurbishing. Ziegler added they may make another infrastructure project announcement in the coming months.

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cjnbnews@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW