The Recreation Center at the University of Colorado at Boulder is instituting a new energy conservation project in partnership with Long and Associates, a private energy services contractor in Englewood.
Upgrades, retrofits and modifications in lighting systems, ice rink and pool facilities, water meters, fan controls and utility tracking systems are expected to yield energy savings of more than $40,000 annually. Work is scheduled to begin right away and will take two months to complete.
The $304,703 project, which included a technical energy audit, was funded with a 10-year loan from the university Treasurer聮s Office.
According to Gary Chadwick, Recreation Center director, the project is indicative of a national trend and is the first of its kind on the Boulder campus.
"Private energy services companies across the country are working with universities and other public entities to help them save money by saving energy," Chadwick said. "This is one of those opportunities to engage in a win-win situation with the private and public sectors working together. We realize savings immediately and the vendor gets the project."
Recreation Center staff engaged in an extensive bid process to get the project approved, working with university administration, student government leaders and the Governor聮s Office of Energy Management and Conservation. Herb Kienle, associate director of recreation center facilities, said that meeting the state requirements for the contract took almost a year and was a highly regulated process.
The bid by Long and Associates projected savings of $40,635 the first year of implementation, increasing each year for an estimated savings of more than $48,000 in the 10th year. The company will cover any losses if the projected savings do not occur. That聮s good news for the university and for fee-paying students as well.
The Recreation Center, originally built with funds from student fees, opened in 1973 and was expanded in 1990. It has received several awards for its energy conservation design.
The center is co-managed by the division of student affairs and UCSU, CU-Boulder聮s student government. The new energy conservation project marks another milestone in the development of the facility, as well as improved services for students.
"UCSU is committed to high quality services at an affordable price, and this project ensures that we maintain the promise of continuously efficient and cost-saving measures," said Dan Pabon, UCSU tri-executive.
Chadwick believes there is potential for the estimated savings to increase beyond current projections. And because the loan payments will remain constant for the 10-year period, the extra money can be used to finance additional work.
The Recreation Center is a complete recreational sports facility with a multi-lane swimming pool and diving well, ice hockey rink, fully equipped fitness system rooms, tennis courts, gymnasiums, a climbing wall and an indoor track. The center also manages intramural and club sports and offers fitness and leisure classes. Services are available to all members of the university community through a membership program. All students who pay full fees are automatically members.
For more information, call (303) 492-6561 or visit the Web site at .