The indoor tennis courts at the Pickering Recreation Complex recently received a major lighting retrofit expected to reduce operating costs for the City.

The project replaced 61 incandescent 1,000-watt bulbs with 320-watt LED fixtures.

Tony Prevedel, chief administrative officer, said the City is embarking on several projects in the area of community sustainability.

 “Sustainability requires us to balance and integrate environmental, social and economic considerations, and the installation of the new lighting system successfully meets all components while improving the facility,” he said.

Compared to the incandescent bulbs, the LED fixtures are more esthetically pleasing and provide longer lifespan. They use around 60 per cent less energy, and double the illumination levels on the playing surface.

“There is no glare, yet the ball and the court lines are brighter than ever before,” said Dave Ochotta, head tennis professional at the Pickering Recreation Complex, and a level 3 Tennis Canada coach.

Graham Castanheiro, recreation complex pro and certified member of the Illuminating Society of North America, said the new lighting system has eliminated noise levels from the old ballasts and glare from the old fixtures.

“The consistent light level and colour upgrade of the energy-efficient fixtures will have a positive effect for quality of the games played,” he said.

This project was made possible in part by incentives secured through the SaveOnEnergy program, and was guided by the City’s Corporate Energy Management Plan. The plan outlines a five-year action strategy to increase energy efficiency, reduce energy consumption, and minimize the City’s environmental footprint.

Huong Truong