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Energy expenditure at the Halls Creek Aquatic and Recreation Centre in the East Kimberley region of Western Australia are set to be reduced as a result of a new smart solar installation.

As reported by The West Australian, the new rooftop solar energy system can also communicate with the grid and call on more power when required. This is partly managed through a smart camera that tracks the weather and recognises when it’s a cloudy day.

Halls Creek Shire President Malcolm Edwards said the centre should be able to reduce its electricity bills by 30 to 50%. With the current annual energy bill at the centre around $100,000, the expected savings of at least $30,000 should help with reimbursing the cost of installing the panels.

The energy savings also mean that entry to the pool will now be free of charge, with Edwards advising that past experience of free pool entry contributed to a reduction of youth welfare issues.

At an opening event, Member for Durack Melissa Price was on hand to unveil a commemorative plaque.

Price said that as well as free entry, there will now be an extension on the centre’s opening hours. This will also help with providing a safe place for children to go in the evenings.

Federal Government funding of just under $250,000 was secured for the project.

The Halls Creek Aquatic and Recreation Centre includes an adult (25 metre, eight lane) pool, a children's pool, a gymnasium, covered basket ball courts and meeting and activity rooms. The facility is a central hub providing opportunities for social, vocational, cultural and community development as well as being a first class sport and recreation facility.

Images: Halls Creek Aquatic and Recreation Centre (top, courtesy of LIWA Aquatics) and Shire of Halls Creek President Malcolm Edwards and Member for Durack Melissa Price  unveil a commemorative plaque to celebrate the new solar panels at the Centre (below, courtesy SoHC).

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