Recreation Environmental Initiatives

Nicki always uses cold water to wash fitness and aquatic laundry

Geordy manages night time ice temperatures to control utility consumption

Doug works with electrical contractor to reconfigure lighting options for improved efficiencies

Nancy uses her refillable container at the filler station available with new water fountains

We have taken a hard look at our services to make sure our operations are environmentally friendly.

While we continue to work towards sustainability, here are some of the environmentally friendly initiatives we practice:

Water Conservation

Water leaks in toilets, hoses, faucets and irrigation systems are regularly checked for
Water efficient fixtures such as toilets and faucets are installed
Trees and shrubs with deep root systems are planted to reduce the need for watering
Paved areas are swept rather than washed
Chemicals and oils are not flushed down drains
Pool water is lowered during peak use to reduce water being lost into waste drains
Outdoor pool water is drained in the fall and repurposed to irrigate landscaping

Transportation & Equipment

Staff are encouraged to walk or cycle to work
Vehicles are maintained regularly
Condenser coils and vents are kept free of dust
Equipment is regularly maintained to prolong its life and ensure optimum performance and efficiency
Electronic filing has been adopted to allow for decreased printer, toner and paper consumption
Printer / Copier paper is 30% post-consumer recycled paper
Fluorescent tubes, batteries and toner cartridges are diverted for recycling
New technologies are researched and more energy efficient upgrades are planned

Pollution & Waste Reduction

Printers and copiers default to print double-sided
Cleaning chemical containers are recycled
Dishwashers that use less water than hand washing are provided in staff rooms
An environmentally friendly product has replaced salt to manage slippery pedestrian areas in the winter
Receipts are only printed if requested by a customer
Recycling options are available at all facilities for refundable beverage containers
Hazardous waste is disposed of responsibly
Concentrated or larger quantities of supplies are purchased to reduce both cost and packaging waste
Products and services that are durable, reusable and of high quality are purchased
Packaging materials such as bubble wrap, foam and cardboard are reused
Look n Book on line registration cuts down on the demand for paper copies of the Activity Guide
Facebook is used to promote events and services and reduce the use of print materials
Power Point is encouraged to replace paper handouts during meetings and presentations
Items such as water bottles or toilet paper rolls are reused for crafts
Mugs, plates and silverware are available in meeting rooms to reduce use of paper, plastic and Styrofoam
Reusable shopping bags are used when purchasing supplies
Unclaimed lost and found items are donated to the Salvation Army for reuse
Internal mail envelopes are reused
Paper, cardboard and drink containers are recycled by all areas
Water bottle refillers on water fountains are installed in many areas to reduce plastic water bottle use
Unusable parts, equipment and iron materials are recycled

Energy Conservation

Lights and equipment are turned off when not in use and many areas have motion sensors
Utility bills are reviewed regularly to identify possible leaks or inefficiencies with power, water and electricity consumption
Cold water is used where possible
Light fixtures are cleaned regularly to prolong life
Weather stripping is replaced to limit heat escape
Curtains and blinds are drawn to reduce the need for air conditioning
Arena ice temperatures are raised during the night to decrease compressor run times, reducing electrical consumption
Saunas, steam rooms and whirlpools are not turned on unless in use
Opportunities to play local are promoted, reducing the environmental impact of travel
The outdoor pool is covered with an insulated tarp to reduce heat loss when not in use
Roof solar panels at the Recreation Centre are used to provide a green energy source
Heat is recovered from arena compressor to preheat water for ice flooding