Linking the saving of energy to sports infrastructures

Laval residents are invited to fill out a questionnaire to evaluate the energy consumption of their home and appliances. Hydro-Québec will write up a report that will deliver a diagnostic and recommendations for saving energy.

For every report, Laval pockets $35 (online) or $30 (by mail). If a third of Laval participates, $800,000 will be invested in four new sporting infrastructure projects.

Wouldn’t it be advisable to conserve a part of the $30 or $35 to finance the costly renovations recommended to residents?

“Hydro-Québec already has programs in place, and our contribution won’t change much,” said mayor Gilles Vaillancourt. Measure taken in households will be self-financing, he added.

The spirit of the program is to effect electricity bills, without modifying comfort. It’s not always necessary to move sea and sky to make a difference. “Every small gesture counts,” said Éric Moisan, of the communications and community team. Energy saving light bulbs, hot water heating, use of thermostats – a simple change in consummation habits can have an effect, he said.

“The diagnostic will give detailed ways to conserve energy,” said Massé. “It will let us know what we need to do to get moving.” For structural changes, such as doors or windows, the Agence d’effacité énergétique offers several programs, noted the two Hydro-Québec representatives. The report will refer to investments necessary for these projects and their amortization.

Community organizations, such as the Laval Volunteer Centre, can equally benefit.

“We are going to recruit volunteers that Hydro-Québec will train, to help people fill out the questionnaire,” said Kathleen Gagnon, director. Her organization touches some 1,500 families, she estimates.

The collective effort will fund repairing and cleaning of tennis courts in Sainte-Dorothée; an extreme sports arena for teenagers in Val-des-Arbres; construction of an indoor basin for rowing training in Chomedy and repair and reconstruction of synthetic soccer and football fields in various neighbourhoods.

“For collective projects, Laval residents always answer ‘yes!’” said the mayor. Laval has already shown example, said Bernard Massé. Drinking water facilities, city hall and arenas have already undergone renovations. In light of energy efficiency protocols with Hydro-Québec, every City project will from now on be the object of an energy evaluation.