Arenas Energy Savings and Clean Energy Production Project
We are excited to announce a significant step toward sustainability and energy efficiency in our community. The County Board has approved a $6.6M energy project in partnership with Parks & Recreation and Honeywell Inc. This initiative will help reduce energy consumption, advance sustainability, and support the county’s climate equity action plan. This project will enhance our arenas and facilities through the installation of solar arrays, LED lighting upgrades, advanced building management systems, mechanical system upgrades and more. In addition, energy efficiency improvements will significantly reduce carbon emissions and decrease energy consumption across the department.
Project Timeline
The construction phase is scheduled to begin in January 2025 and is expected to be completed by May 2027.
Project Cost and Funding
The total cost of the project is $6.6 million. It is funded primarily through an inter-county loan, which will be repaid over 15 years using energy savings. Given the 30-year lifespan of many improvements, the county anticipates significant additional savings after the loan is paid off.
Environmental Impact
The project is projected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 530 metric tons per year which is equivalent to removing 106 cars from the road per year or offsetting the yearly use by 88 homes each year.
Energy Savings
Energy consumption at arenas is expected to decrease by about 25% annually due to the project’s upgrades and improvements. The implementation of this project will also reduce propane consumption by roughly 6% across the arena system.
The project includes a series of impactful upgrades:
Solar Energy Installations
- A Solar photovoltaic (PV) system will be installed at TCO Sports Garden and Aldrich Arena to harness renewable energy from the sun while reducing electricity costs and contributing to the county’s sustainability efforts.
LED Lighting Upgrades
- Energy-efficient LED lighting will be installed at eight arenas, significantly reducing energy consumption while improving lighting quality and visibility for visitors.
- To be implemented at Charles M. Schultz- Highland Arena, Gustafson-Phalen Arena, Harding Arena, Ken Yackel-West Side Arena, Oscar Johnson Arena, Pleasant Arena, Shoreview Ice Arena, and White Bear Arena.
Building Management Systems
- Advanced building management systems will be installed to optimize the heating, cooling and control of select arenas – helping to optimize energy efficiency and provide facilities teams with better visibility into asset performance.
- To be implemented at the Parks & Recreation administration building, Ken Yackel-West Side Arena, Oscar Johnson Arena, Shoreview Ice Arena and White Bear Lake Arena.
Carbon and Energy Management Software
- Advanced software will provide ongoing measurement, control and optimization of building performance to manage energy consumption and help reduce the carbon impact of the facilities.
- To be implemented at the Parks & Recreation administration building, Aldrich Arena, Charles M. Schulz-Highland Arena, Gustafson-Phalen Arena, Harding Arena, Ken Yackel-West Side Arena, Oscar Johnson Arena, Pleasant Arena, Shoreview Ice Arena, TCO Sports Garden and White Bear Lake Arena.
Mechanical System Upgrades
- Key mechanical systems including Variable Speed Drives will be retrofitted to extend the lifespan of the equipment while reducing energy use and providing for more reliable operations.
- To be implemented at the Parks & Recreation administrative building, Ken Yackel - West Side Arena, White Bear Lake Arena, Oscar Johnson Arena, Shoreview Ice Arena.
Building Envelope Improvements
- Eight arenas will undergo weatherization and humidity improvements to reduce energy loss during both the heating and cooling seasons, helping to enhance the overall energy efficiency of the facilities and
- To be implemented at Charles M. Schultz- Highland Arena, Gustafson-Phalen Arena, Harding Arena, Ken Yackel-West Side Arena, Oscar Johnson Arena, Pleasant Arena, Shoreview Ice Arena, and White Bear Arena
This project represents a commitment to providing a better visitor experience across our facilities in a fiscally responsible and environmentally friendly way.
Construction is scheduled to commence January 2025 and expected to wrap up May 2026. Updates will be shared as the project is implemented, so keep an eye out for the latest developments. Together, we’re building a more sustainable future for Ramsey County!
More information:
Learn more about Parks & Recreation Ongoing Energy Initiatives.
Project Contact:
Samir Addoun
651-266-0310