The Blenheim Memorial Arena Ice Plant has been turned down for a government grant to replace its outdated refrigerant system.
However, the municipality says it'll keep trying to secure grant money.
Chatham-Kent Manager of Parks and Recreation Ian Clark is reporting that the replacement project was not selected for funding through the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings Program.
"During a review of why the Municipality was unsuccessful in its application it was determined that a critical weakness in the application was the inability to demonstrate how the project’s quantitative reduction of its GHG (greenhouse gases) footprint fits into an overall facility plan for emission reductions," wrote Clark in his report going to Council Monday night. "Comparable municipalities successful in obtaining funds had completed a facility specific GHG Reduction Pathway Feasibility Study and identified their project as part of a long-term plan to reduce emissions."
Clark said administration will continue to prioritize replacing the Blenheim Memorial Arena Ice Plant and will submit a better grant application in the future.
He noted the municipality will include data from a new Greenhouse Gas Reduction Pathway Feasibility Study currently underway to better support the next application and those results are expected to be available in January 2025.
Data and recommendations from this study are intended to support grant applications for projects aimed at reducing negative environmental impacts.
The ice plant at Blenheim Memorial Arena must be converted from a synthetic refrigerant system to a natural refrigerant system prior to January 1, 2030, because the synthetic R-22 refrigerant used at that arena will no longer be available.
Meanwhile,
The new Regional Park in Chatham has received a government grant to move ahead with Phase 2 of the development along Bear Line Road.
Clark said sport courts and washrooms have been selected for the Stream 2 (New Builds) application under the Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund.