New funding for London ice rink [Video]

A joint investment by the federal government and City of London will replace the natural gas powered refrigeration plant at the Earl Nichols Recreation Centre.

On Thursday, MP Peter Fragiskatos and MP Arielle Kayabaga announced a $2.36 million investment from the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings (GICB) Program to modernize the heating and cooling system at the three-rink arena in south London.

The City of London will contribute $1.2 million dollars towards the project.

“When you put in place a thermal battery system and a heat pump system, that is much cheaper [to operate] than a natural gas system, so this is something that leads to cost savings and also less greenhouse gas emissions,” said Fragiskatos.

It’s estimated that the reduction of GHG emission will be equal to the annual amount attributed to 35 homes.

Earl Nichols Recreation Centre is visited by about 240,000 people each year.

Kayabaga said the …