$27,000 grant to Mariners Centre to be used to install energy-efficient lighting

By Tina Comeau

THE VANGUARD

NovaNewsNow.com

The presentation of a one-time grant of $27,000 brightened things up at the Mariners Centre on Monday, or at least it will in the weeks and years ahead.

The money said Gary Archibald, chair of the Mariners Centre management board, will be used to install energy-efficient lighting in the two arenas. The work will take place in the upcoming weeks, in advance of the hockey and skating seasons.

Archibald said replacing the existing lighting in the arenas will bring important cost savings to the facility.

“This will be a big advantage to us,” he said, noting that about $135,000 of the Mariners Centre’s annual budget goes towards electricity costs.

The grant, which was officially turned over to the Mariners Centre on Aug. 11 by Yarmouth MLA Richard Hurlburt, is part of a previously announced $2-million rink revitalization program through the department of Health Promotion and Protection, of which Sport and Recreation is also a component.

“With rising operating costs, it’s more and more difficult for arenas to manage day-to-day operations,” said Minister Barry Barnet in announcing the funding that is seeing a one-time $27,000 grant go to each of the 74 rinks in the province.

The rinks are using the funding for upgrades and repairs. Hurlburt said he was happy to see that the Mariners Centre will use the funding to make things more energy efficient. He added through his energy department and Conserve Nova Scotia there are other programs that the Mariners Centre might also be able to tap into.