By Staff
January 20th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
The world will be looking at America today. It will be grim.
To get a sense of what government can do, especially local government, click on the link HERE and have a peek at what the Skyway Community Centre in the eastern part of the city will look like when it opens sometime this year.
A roof covered in solar panels.
Here is a breakdown of what will be in place when it opens: 58,000 sqft, NHL size Arena, Warm Viewing room, 6 Dressing Rooms, 1 Referee / Coaches’ Dressing Room, 2 Program Rooms, 127m Walking Track, Lounge / Lobby with fire place, Administrative Offices, Baseball diamond and Children’s Play Area.
There are some that will immediately describe this as a nice to have but not necessary.
It’s going to be great and much of the credit for this goes to the ward Councillor Paul Sharman.
City Hall couldn’t give us a precise date – sometime this year was the best they had.
Please report on the financial payback for this this project to the tax payers.
What is the capital cost, include the financial gain if we were to invest that money in a government bond. Then estimate the savings in electrical charges. Based on the electrical savings minus ongoing maintenance (don’t be fooled these require some maintenance ie. every winter someone will need to go on the roof and clean the snow and ice off the panels, clean dust and sediment in the summer, then replacement of electrical components) how long will it take to pay off the capital plus investment gains.
Since Ontario produces most of its power through nuclear and hydro, the savings in GHG emissions is zero.
In reality I would say the GHG’s emissions is more for this given the mining and production GHG emissions to produce solar panels is greater than the GHG savings installed in a place like Burlington.
Payback time for business is typically less than 2 years. Government’s have longer term outlooks, seven years is typical.
If I were to take a guess, this is a money loser for the taxpayers and on top of that results in the more GHG emissions!
Looking forward to it especially the waking track.