Chaparral Ice Rink Goes Green
Posted by Crystal Olenbush on Monday, July 21st, 2008 at 10:20pm.
Chaparral Ice Rink Goes Green – Saving the Environment and Money at the Same Time
In an effort to become more energy efficient, Keye TV reports that the Chaparral Ice Rink has recently undergone some major renovations.
One of the changes made at the ice rink was a new Zamboni. According to the president of the rink, Charles Collins, the Zamboni is capable of saving 100 gallons of water each time the rink is resurfaced. Considering this happens ten times a day, every day of the year, that is an impressive amount of water being saved.
The walls have also been insulated, which helps to maintain the 56 degree temperature that remains constant within the rink. Not only that, by implementing green building techniques, the rink has doubled in size while actually reducing its utility bills by 15%.
The rink will also start collecting the water that accumulates on the roof. Collins estimates that approximately 800,000 gallons of water are accumulating up there, all of which he can be using in his rink. Not only is this better for the environment, it saves him money as well.
“It’s $36,000 potentially running down the gutter back there,” said Collins.
It’s just one more example of how the city of Austin and it business people are moving in the right direction!
There is no extra insulation in the walls, which are the same as the day the rink was built. More power to them if they actually do rainwater catchment. I am not holding my breath. Collins is a big talker.
Posted on Monday, August 25th, 2008 at 8:16pm.