Cataline Elementary School is receiving a green update in the form of a biomass boiler system.
School District 27 is upgrading the heating and ventilation and air conditioning system (HVAC), with the overall project estimated to cost approximately $1,800,000.
“The School District secured approximately $416,000 in funding through the Carbon Neutral Capital Program and the remainder will be funded from the Annual Facilities Grant,” said secretary treasurer Kevin Futcher.
The biomass boiler system was selected due to cost efficient heating, low CO2 emissions and an abundant supply of wood pellets in Williams Lake.
“We plan to have the boiler system up and running in March of 2016,” Futcher said, adding other phases of the project will be completed by the fall of 2016.
Currently the district operates two pellet boiler systems in schools out west at Tatla Lake and Alexis Creek.
“The pellet boiler systems at these two schools have reduced our heating costs by approximately 40 per cent and CO2 emissions by approximately 80 per cent,” Futcher said.
There are 12 categories eligible under the B.C. government’s Annual Facilities Grant program. They include roof replacement, mechanical system upgrades, electrical system upgrades, facility upgrades, loss prevention projects, functional improvements, technological infrastructure upgrades, site upgrades, disabled access, asbestos abatement, health and safety upgrades and site servicing.