The city of North Bay has brightened things up in West Ferris arena.
The city confirmed to BayToday.ca that the light level on the ice surface was too dark, so a new lighting system has been installed.
“The light output of the high intensity discharge (HID) lighting system at West Ferris Arena had diminished to unacceptable levels,” stated Dave Jackowski, Facilities Manager for the City of North Bay.
Jackowski says the cost of renewal parts to maintain the inefficient lighting system was deemed a poor investment.
“The existing thirty-six (36) HID fixtures were replaced with eighteen (18) modern high efficiency LED fixtures,” explained Jackowski.
“Average lighting levels on the ice surface were increased approximately three fold and energy costs for the system were reduced by 70%.”
He adds that the new lighting system can be utilized at another facility when the time comes for West Ferris to shut its doors, which, in 2016, was deemed to occur in 2019.
That is unlikely the case due to the delay on a new dual pad arena project which does not even have a confirmed location yet.
“With consideration for the age and condition of the facility, all fixtures are plug connected and can be relocated should the need arise,” noted Jackowski.
The price for the West Ferris Arena lighting totalled $18,445, but energy incentives brought the total cost down to $14,485.00.
