Town of Claresholm investigates solar power for arena

By Mickey Dumont Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Like many municipal facilities, arenas are not designed as profit centres or to break even financially. One Alberta energy solutions company wants to work with Claresholm town council to change that.
While critical, quality of life elements in a community such as arenas, swimming pools, parks and other municipal recreation facilities, are taxpayer-funded and expensive to maintain.
The Claresholm Arena costs tens of thousands of dollars each month for heating and making ice. It’s the cost of doing business.
Appearing as delegation at the Jan. 27, Town of Claresholm council meeting, commercial solar specialist Scott Alexander offered a scenario where solar power could offset utility costs at the Claresholm Arena by both generating solar electricity by installing solar panels on the roof and also selling excess during the off season.
It could amount to annual savings of more than $70,000.
Alexander works for D-COM in Lethbridge. D-COM is known in the area, and has completed solar projects in other Southern Alberta communities including Magrath, Raymond, Stirling, Warner, Cardston and Lethbridge County.
D-COM investigated powering the arena with renewable energy five years ago, but nothing came of it. Alexander approached Claresholm again in 2024 when a new funding stream for renewables became available.
“There is still funding available,” Alexander told council.
“There are incentives through the municipal climate change action centre. They have a municipal electricity generation program on right now.”
The cost of the proposed renewable energy arena project is expected to be $513,000 of which Alexander says $211,000 – or 40 per cent – is available through granting programs.
“There’s a new round of funding for some solar on the arena,” Chief Administrator Officer Abe Tinney said.
“I think Claresholm is probably a little bit behind the curve with solar issues. It’ll be good for the town if we can get approval and get an application in, in time before the funding runs out.”
Alexander added the funding is 60 percent spoken for.
Coun. Kandice Meister was looking down the road in asking Alexander if solar energy generated at the arena could be ported to another building.
She is the town’s museum board representative. The museum, and its planned addition is close enough, but not presently possible due to present energy supply contracts.
It’s possible a request for decision will be on the town’s Feb. 10 meeting agenda.