Bethel parks committee to discuss a $1 fitness center fix projected to save $46,000 a year

Bethel's Community Parks and Recreation Committee will discuss an energy audit Monday, Nov. 9, that projects the YK Fitness Center could save nearly $46,000 a year by changing when and how its ventilation system runs. The item, led by committee member Sean Glasheen, is up for discussion, not a vote. The meeting starts at 6 pm at 300 Chief Eddie Hoffman Highway and by Zoom.

Christian Webb of the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium found the building runs its ventilation as if it were occupied even while it is closed, and that a coil meant to recover heat from exhaust air is underused. His audit recommends matching the ventilation schedule on the building's control computer to actual open hours and raising the heat-recovery setpoint to 70 or 75 degrees, so more heat is pulled from the damp pool-room exhaust and the boilers burn less fuel. That change is listed at $1 because the audit software will not accept a cost of zero. A second $1 change, turning the heat down to 65 degrees in the lobby, locker rooms and exercise rooms when the building is closed, would save about $4,000 more, as Alaska News reported Sept. 8.

The 25,741-square-foot center, built in 2014, is open 5:30 am to 9 pm every day but Thursday. The audit puts its energy costs at about $419,000 a year, about 83% of it heating oil. All recommended measures would cut that total by 12.2%, or about $51,000 a year, for about $36,000.

Written public comments are due by 4 pm Monday.