AusLeisure

A new gas-fired co-generation plant set to be installed at the Oasis Aquatic Centre in Wagga Wagga is expected to save more than $250,000 a year in power bills.

The project, which is jointly funded by the Federal Government's Community Energy Efficiency Program and a low interest loan from Low Carbon Australia, will enable the Centre to generate its own power onsite while providing an efficient heat source for the heating of its indoor pools.

It is expected that the plant will see the Centre's current annual energy expenditure slashed in half.

According to Oasis Aquatic Centre Manager Ben Creighton, the new equipment will provide a raft of benefits.

Creighton explains "the Oasis is upgrading to cleaner technology and equipment to help make significant inroads on reducing our carbon emissions and our energy use.

"The gas-fired generator will create 229kW of electricity for the Oasis and the engine will produce 358kW of thermal heat that we will use to heat our pools.

"People won't notice anything, but instead of a gas-fired boiler burning constantly, we'll be capturing heat off the engine (and) reducing our reliance on the grid.

"It will be a very effective way to heat the pools (and will) reduce our carbon emissions significantly."

The $780,000 plant was manufactured in the United Kingdom and its installation at Oasis should take between six to eight weeks to complete. Initial testing on the equipment will follow with the plant expected to be fully operational by October.

Asking a small favour
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

The news we publish at www.ausleisure.com.au is independent, credible (we hope) and free for you to access, with no pay walls and no annoying pop-up ads.

However, as an independent publisher, can we ask for you to support us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine - if you don't already do so.

Published bi-monthly since 1997, the printed Australasian Leisure Management differs from this website in that it publishes longer, in-depth and analytical features covering aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues management.

Subscriptions cost just $90 a year.

Click here to subscribe.