Yardmen Arena

OVERVIEW

Built in 1978, Yardmen Arena is a 3,257 seat multi-purpose arena located in Belleville, Ontario, Canada. Originally known as the Quinte Sports Centre, it is home to the Ontario Hockey League’s (OHL) Belleville Bulls and includes ice rinks, swimming pools and gymnasiums. Yardmen Arena has hosted the OHL All-Star Game twice, first in 1983 and again in 2006. Its name is in honor of a small group of railroaders known as “The Belleville Yardmen,” who raised more than $3 million to contribute to the Arena’s construction.

CHALLENGE

Yardmen Arena’s existing chiller system used R-11 chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) refrigerant, which was banned effective January 1, 2012 according to Ontario regulation 189/94. Due to this refrigerant phase-out regulation, the Arena’s aging mechanical system needed to be updated.

“They weren’t just looking for a simple chiller change-out – a green solution was an important factor. The green solution was to install CALMAC’s thermal energy system, Trane’s Model CGAM 120-ton chiller with variable frequency drives, and Trane’s Tracer Summit building automation system." said Peter Lyng, Facilities Manager.

Paying an astonishing $300,000 in annual energy bills, Yardmen Arena represented the largest energy consumer of all the City’s assets. As such, rather than just replacing the old system with an updated version, city officials sought to install an innovative green solution that would not only comply with the new regulation, stay within budget and meet the project deadline, but also significantly lower annual energy expenses.

SOLUTION

The City of Belleville retained design/build contractor George A. Kelson Mechanical, Stantec and Trane to install a new turnkey chiller plant. Peter Lyng, Facilities Manager, Recreation, Culture and Community Services for the City of Belleville, said, “They weren’t just looking for a simple chiller change-out – a green solution was an important factor. The green solution was to install CALMAC’s thermal energy system, Trane’s Model CGAM 120-ton chiller with variable frequency drives, and Trane’s Tracer Summit building automation system.”

CALMAC’s energy storage system employs thermal energy storage by making ice at night and using it the next day to cool the Arena. The ice storage tanks shift the Arena’s energy demand from on-peak to off-peak times, decreasing cooling costs and reducing both source energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

RESULTS

The installation has already exceeded expectations. The City is now anticipating a three-year payback instead of the estimated four-year payback. Even on the hottest day in the summer, when temperatures are above 90°F, a 30 horsepower pump only operates at 52 percent power. The CALMAC ice storage system and Trane chiller, plus the implementation of proper building controls and automation systems, which provide additional savings from Demand Response rebates from Ontario Power Authority, have enabled the Arena to see unprecedented energy savings.

“We now have a chiller that is half the size of the original and operates during off-peak hours because of the ice storage system. Everyone is extremely enthusiastic since the new system was installed. People are looking to us as leaders for green solutions. The City’s Green Task Force is ecstatic with the energy savings.” said Peter Lyng, Facilities Manager.

Lyng adds, “We now have a chiller that is half the size of the original and operates during off-peak hours because of the ice storage system. Everyone is extremely enthusiastic since the new system was installed. People are looking to us as leaders for green solutions. The City’s Green Task Force is ecstatic with the energy savings.”

SUMMARY

Overall, the new chiller and ice storage system provided Yardmen Arena with a simple, unique and green solution which came in under budget and on deadline. Kashyap Desai of Stantec noted everyone involved “realized the long-term potential of installing this new technology” and was “committed to making a show piece project and worthwhile savings for the City. It was an opportunity to do something unique.”

Mark MacCracken, CEO of CALMAC and Chair, USGBC, said, “I’m pleased that our IceBank tanks will help the city save money while reducing the impact of peak energy usage on the environment. We hope the City of Belleville can serve as an example to other cities looking to upgrade their systems.”