ST. PAUL – County of St. Paul council will pay up to $30,000 to complete a RETScreen for the A.G. Ross Arena, located in Elk Point.
RETScreen is a software developed by the Government of Canada. The software was first released in 1998 and is used to help analyze, plan, implement, and monitor energy projects.
During the Dec. 19 County council meeting, the council reviewed A.G. Ross Arena Fundraising Committee’s letter of request, seeking the County’s assistance to complete a RETScreen modelling for the A.G. Ross Arena located in the Town of Elk Point.
The committee’s letter indicated to the County that the arena is close to becoming inoperable without “major renovations both for energy efficiency savings as well as for functionality.”
Approximately $2 million is required to upgrade the hockey arena based on the information from the letter.
“We have exhausted local resources in the form of countless volunteers and local business support, fundraising committees and trying to engage the town of Elk Point to support the cause,” stated the letter.
Thus, the committee is looking for the County’s assistance “to keep this arena operational for the residents in the County of St. Paul.”
The volunteer group aims to apply for grants such as the “Green and Inclusive Grant,” and the “Recreation Energy Conservation program.” But according to the group, RETScreen modelling needs to be done before they can apply for grant applications.
The committee stated in the letter that the RETScreen model will “identify equipment being replaced and thresholds in energy savings that the group will realize.”
County of St. Paul CAO Sheila Kitz said County staff estimate the cost for the RETScreen to be about $30,000.
In an unrelated workshop about energy transition hosted by the County of St. Paul on Nov. 2, analysts from the Pembina Institute stated that funding for an energy project is not guaranteed despite the high costs associated with RETScreen modelling.
According to Daniel Reid, director of Public Works, information granted from a RETScreen modelling does not expire and can be used by the arena if it does seek funding outside municipalities. “That RETScreen is one of the deliverables the government wants to see,” said Reid.
Deputy Reeve Maxine Fodness suggested tabling the item until more information is available.
Reeve Glen Ockerman responded that completing the RETScreen is time sensitive as it is required for the committee to apply for grants.
According to the volunteer group, the RETScreen must be completed by Jan. 23, 2023. Then, it must file an application for the Green and Inclusive Community Grant by Feb. 6, followed by another grant application by Feb. 27 for the Recreation Energy Conservation Program.
Despite the high cost, Ockerman stated that not supporting the RETScreen could risk the committee losing out on a potential million-dollar grant.
After further discussion of the costs associated with the RETScreen, Coun. Kevin Wirsta motioned to approve paying for the A.G. Ross Arena’s RETScreen modeling for up to $30,000. In addition, the County of St. Paul’s Energy Manager, Ron Dechaine, will also assist in leading the project.
The motion was approved.
Wirsta said there has been “a big shift in the support” by the community who would like to see the A.G. Ross Arena succeed.
In a statement to Lakeland This Week about the funding, Wirsta said any future grants for the facility would be "a positive direction in the facility moving forward."
