Energy (incl The Pool)
Energy continues to be in the headlines. It made the front page of two newspapers today. First, it was in the Herald in relation to the pool bubble (http://www.cheshireherald.com/NC/0/303.html).
The town’s Energy Commission, Parks & Rec Commission, members of the Town Council and a State Representative are talking about the pool… and it’s sky high energy costs. But what I find most interesting in this article is not indicated in the headline. It’s farther into the article where it is noted that Town Manager Michael “Milone said a consultant will help answer questions the Council has about what is the best route to take with the pool.” (Cheshire Herald, Kristen Malinowski, March 9, 2006). VERY interesting.
For anyone who catches this, I bet they’ll be talking about it in the barber shops and coffee shops around town this weekend. And if you’re interested in learning more, both P&R (including Mixville) and the Pool will be discussed at the March 27 (6pm) budget workshop.
Like many people, whenever I hear the word “consultant” I cringe (although, like those same people, I also cringe when I hear the word “politician” LOL), but in all seriousness with the recommended pool budget subsidy north of $400,000, I think we have to consider all options. Comments from any bloggers on this?
Then there’s today’s Waterbury paper discussing both “alternative fuels” and “energy conservation” (http://www.rep-am.com/story.php?id=3934). (Obviously, I liked this article. Thanks Mike.) But what I think is really important is increasing awareness of our options. Only yesterday I learned that there may soon be federal grant money made available directly to towns (no state pass thru) for “alternative fuel” station construction costs. Coupling this with grant money for new school buses and, to me, the writing is on the wall (see http://timwhitelistens.blogspot.com/2006/02/alternative-fuel-station.html). We need to investigate the possibilities. Cheshire could move away from its dependence on dirty, fossil fuels and toward a new day in which America is clean and energy independent (not caught up in any Middle Eastern“entangling alliances”).
Tim White
Town Council, Energy Commission Liaison
TimWhite98@yahoo.com
12 comments:
Tim,
I cringed at the consultant comment as well, but I really cringed at Micheal Ecke's comment that we need a consulant to look at marketing the pool? Exactly what is it that he doesnt understand. Those of us who have and currently use the pool for our kids swimming classes can tell you, its not marketing that the pool needs. What the pool needs is water that isnt cold in the winter, a heating system that keeps the air warm, hot water in the showers, cleanr bathrooms and locker rooms and so on. The pool and associated facility needs to be fixed. Thats hwy people are staying away, thast why people wont plunk down their money for memberships.
Further, theyneed to offer a summer membership. I know for a fact that folks who have no interest in a yearly would sign up for a summer membership. It needs to be offered.
On a completely irrelevant note, sorry to have missed RTC tonight, work kept me from getting home until about 10 minutes ago.......
One of the conundrums of the pool is that by covering the pool to reduce its energy costs you detract from its appeal during the summer months. We have a membership now but would be unlikely to maintain one if the pool were to be permanently covered. I don't know whether the loss of members would offset the gain in energy efficiency, but a pool that does not appeal to residents is not a community pool.
Another consultant, just what we need. It does not take aconsutant to tell us what is wrong the pool. Go ask the YMCA in Milford/Orange. They had the identical problems we have; 20 years of a bubble covered facility that contiued to lose money every year. Two years ago with the second failing bubble. 80% memebership loss they had to decide what to do. Close it or fix it. First they asked and listened to their remianing few members and those that left as to why the membership dropped. Then they hired a marketing consultant to tell them what is wrong, what they need to do to make the facility one peope would flock to. Don't ask the question if your afraid of the answer. The answer was facility need to be rebuilt, make it a year round enclosed pool, but use a glass type structure. These type of structures are common in many resorts and pools in norther climates. So why is it we as humans think these glass covered pools are just right on vacation when it rains and the kids can still swim, better than staying the hotel room all day. What si the difference between that say an an average summer day in Cheshire? These structure allow for outside air to come in during the summer days, the roof has electrically operated vents, the sides open up, just like outside. The indoor environmental conditions, temperature and humidity are controlled. The polycarbonate glass panels protect the occupants from sunburn. Since completing the rennovations the YMCA has seen a huge increase in their membership and their energy operating costs have decreased by almost 70%. As energy costs comprise the majority of the operating loss, a savings of 70% is a very large number. An ammenity that needs to be built at the pool is an indoor/outdoor cafe where people inside the pool have access and those outside at Bartlem Park have access, without having to go inside to use it. The ammenities are what heps sell the facility, not everyone in the family swims. An exercise room, indoor picnic area, clean facility; listen to what the users and nonusers say, that is the same approach a marketing consultant will do. These glass enclose structures have shown to be successful when installed, Cheshire is no different.
Let me argue for a consultant for the pool. First, adding a permanent cover to the pool would require a large captial expenditure, one that we should not make without a thorough review of all potential solutions. If I'm not mistaken, one of the central tenets of fiscal conservatism is to avoid throwing money at a problem. Besides, we've already miscalculated once the operating cost of the pool. Second, though the example of the YMCA in Orange may provide some guidance, I think there is one major difference. In their case, they were trying to get people to rejoin the pool. In Cheshire, the pool needs to recruit people who have never been members. One problem is that many people in town have the financial means to join the local private club pools and are probably reluctant to leave the social networks they've established. I'm not sure that adding a few amenities to the pool would entice them. Third, are there community pools that operate without support from local taxes, and if so, how have they achieved financial independence?
I also think we need to decide what we mean by community pool. If we think that the pool provides a service to Cheshire and increases the value and livability of the community, then we, the taxpayers, must be willing to financially support the pool.
Here's my proposal. Given the vast amount of open space surrounding the pool, why not install a large array of solar panels? Though you'd probably generate only a small portion of the pool's energy needs, it would help reduce the costs of the pool and be a great demonstration of the use of renewable energy.
aaron b.... I've had several people already mention to me the idea of summer passes. I'm expecting that they will be discussed at the March 27 meeting.
emma's dad... you put it well. There's just lots of variables.
And for what it's worth, I just got the pool consultant info. (The police drop it off on Friday nights... and obviously I have nothing better to do! lol! truthfully, I do enjoy this stuff. And the pool is a very big concern for most people in town.)
All kidding aside, the agenda for next Tuesday's meeting is fairly simple: request the Park & Rec Commission to write a "request for proposal" (RFP).
No money is being spent... yet. And as I said before... with a $400k subsidy, we need to consider ways to improve the situation.
Anonymous 9:45am… “Given the vast amount of open space surrounding the pool, why not install a large array of solar panels?” Good idea. And I think the council should consider it. In fact, we might be able to do it without any capital costs. And even save on operating costs.
Some history… in August ’05, the Energy Commission was presented with a proposal. The proposal is explained quite neatly as “SunEdison pays for, installs, owns and operates solar installations. Customers pay a fixed rate that is at or below current electricity prices for the solar electricity generated from these panels for ten years.” (see http://www.sunedison.com/) So this is something that may come to the Council as a recommendation from the Energy Commission.
And if you’re curious why it may seem as though nothing has happened for six months, it’s because the discussions have been quiet and revolved around the schools (as the company likes large, flat spaces… and school roofs are perfect). And now that the schools (the facilities guys, really) have given their two cents and said they’re uncomfortable with a variety of issues (particularly vandalism), it may be time for the Town to consider this low-cost, clean energy option elsewhere... such as at the pool or other places. I’m game. (as for vandalism, presumably the Town could purchase insurance... but that would need to be investigated.)
(And not to get too technical, but if you’re curious how SunEdison makes money… I believe it’s an arbitrage play involving “Renewable Energy Credits” or RECs. SunEdison generates solar electricity and sells it to the grid at $50/kWh here in CT, then buys solar electricity from the grid for $11/kWh… but I’m not the expert on this. If you want to understand better about how this works, you’ll need to speak with someone else. I can barely keep my head above water at this level. This stuff gets pretty complicated. I’m just happy to even know the meaning of the word “arbitrage!”)
My last concern on this idea though is the logistical aspect. Quite literally, while the town has space to place photovoltaic arrays (PVs), taking the tree line and the southern winter sun into account, just how much space is viable for such a project? I’m not sure, but some of the land near the pool may not work well.
But bottom line to me is that considering PVs at the pool is a good idea. Although... I think I got an email just today on the possibility of putting a fuel cell there... there are just so many options available. But I'd rather have too many options, then none.
Here's a solar array in Davis, CA that was installed over a picnic area. The energy is used to heat an adjacent pool. I don't know if the existing picnic area could handle the panels or if a new picnic area would have to be built.
Solar Picnic
emma's dad... good find. What interests me is that it appears as though the panels can be moved to various angles with a pulley system. And that helps a lot as the sun's location along the horizon changes from season to season.
Rob R said... "About the summer membership if you are going to offer the pool you better offer Mixville Park also."
Hey Rob, I'm glad you stopped to visit. Since other people read this and I want them to fully understand... you're talking about having lifeguards at Mixville, right?
So readers understand my position on the pool, is I can take the position of support to fix it, close it or whatever. My point is if the residents decide to fix it correctly this idea, concern about not wanting to have an "enclosed" pool during the summer is not warranted. There are many examples of pools that have been covered with a glass structure of some sorts, the sides open up and the inside environment is like the outside. The other benefits are the polycarbonate structure provides protection from harmful ultraviolet rays. The correct, intelligent design will lead to more memberships, other facitilities have shown that, Cheshire is no different.
Does anyone remember the rationale for building an Olympic sized pool? It seems a smaller pool would have served the needs of the community and saved a lot on heating costs.
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