The Municipalities for Climate Innovation Program, delivered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and funded by the Government of Canada, is contributing $2,803,900 towards three capital projects that will deliver environmental benefits and improve the local quality of life.
Project descriptions
City of Saint John, NB
Saint John City Market energy upgrades
Energy
MCIP grant: $1,000,000
The City of Saint John will undertake a large-scale energy retrofit to the historic Saint John City Market to preserve its integrity, address public safety and accessibility, increase the building's life span, and significantly reduce GHG emissions through the implementation of the latest energy technologies. The Saint John City Market is a national historic site and the oldest continuing farmer's market in Canada. It is a centre of tourism and commerce in Saint John and across southern New Brunswick. It is home to approximately 50 small businesses and serves over 2.5 million visitors each year.
Innovative aspect
- The project will incorporate a combination of renewable and energy efficiency technologies, including biomass from certified wood waste, solar power, LED lighting, Smart control system to optimize the building energy systems, high efficiency air-to-water heat pump system using low temperature water, and heat recovery system using waste thermal energy from the existing refrigeration system.
Environmental benefits
- Provide a 73 per cent reduction in GHG emissions (337 tonnes of CO2)
- Showcase the Saint John City Market as an example of environmental and economic sustainability
- Create awareness among the community and visitors on the benefits of new energy measures such as biomass, solar power and heating technologies
Economic benefits
- Reduce energy costs by approximately $47,000 annually and maintenance costs by close to $50,000 annually
- Reduction of the City Infrastructure Deficit by $6 Million through the replacement and refurbishment of the Saint John City Market assets
Social benefit
- Preserve and strengthen the social heart of Saint John
City of Saint John, NB, and Greater Saint John Field House Inc.
Greater Saint John Field House project - stormwater management infrastructure
Water
MCIP grant: $ 1,671,200
Located on the shore of the Bay of Fundy, the City of Saint John is and will be vulnerable to the impacts of climate change as they relate to sea level rise and increased frequency and intensity of precipitation. Greater Saint John Field House Inc., a local not-for-profit organization, is leading the effort to create a new multi-purpose sports, wellness and recreation facility. The project will include enhanced wetland features in the facility's grounds to adapt to stormwater flooding and sea level surge occurrences.
Innovative aspect
- This project will serve as a model for similar challenging development situations, while also demonstrating strong environmental standards and well-developed plans for responding to future climate change risks
Environmental benefit
- The wetland design will ensure that the site can handle peak rain events and even higher sea levels, through increased capacity to retain water and control flow rates
Economical benefit
- Financial contingencies will be budgeted in the annual financial plans to account for disruptive elements such as snow storms and large rain events
Social benefit
- The stormwater infrastructure will enhance an existing wetland and provide a more natural ecosystem service to the region's communities
Municipality of Annapolis County, NS
Bridgetown & District Memorial Arena energy efficiency upgrades
Energy
MCIP grant: $132,700
The Bridgetown Community Recreation Association (BCRA), in partnership with the Municipality of the County of Annapolis, is undertaking a major efficiency upgrade to the Bridgetown & District Memorial Arena to reduce power consumption and associated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by up to 75 percent.
The county is committed to reducing GHG emissions through energy efficiency. The installation of new spray-foam insulation and a new seasonal controller will complement previously completed upgrades to lighting and space heating with the ultimate goal of providing an energy efficient, year-round recreation facility for Bridgetown and the surrounding communities.
Innovative aspect
- The project uses a combination of efficiency upgrades, including physical equipment and upgrades to the buildings electrical systems, empirical data collection and industry-standard modeling software
Environmental benefit
- The county intends to reduce arena energy consumption from 168,084 kWh to 42,842 kWh (a 75 per cent reduction)
Economic benefit
- The reduction in energy consumption directly contributes to the county's economic development goals of promoting efficient housing and ensuring that, by 2050, the county produces 80 per cent of the electricity consumed within the county
Social benefit
- This project provides an excellent opportunity to promote active living amongst residents and to showcase the environmental and socioeconomic benefits of energy efficiency upgrades on a prominent public facility