The Rural Municipality of Ritchot has been recognized for thinking green. Mayor Bob Stefaniuk says the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) has presented Ritchot a Sustainable Communities Award for operating Manitoba's first district geothermal heating and cooling system. This system connects the Ile des Chenes Community Centre, Ile des Chenes Arena and RM of Ritchot Fire Station.

Stefaniuk says when talks first surfaced regarding construction of a community centre in Ile des Chenes, one of the options that was presented was a geothermal heating and cooling system. He notes there's a program through the provincial and federal governments that provides funding for geothermal projects involving three or more buildings. "So we decided that we would hook up," notes Stefaniuk. He adds the ice plant at the arena benefits because this system takes heat from the ice surface in winter and uses it to heat the buildings. "It's a program that's very innovative and obviously the FCM recognized that and hence we got the award."

Choosing to go this route wasn't an easy decision, notes Stefaniuk. "Because of the cost of the infrastructure, it was a difficult decision. From a motherhood point of view so to speak, or what is best for the environment, it was a no-brainer in that regard. It diminishes electrical use significantly and the use of natural gas."

Stefaniuk says it's too early to be noticing energy savings but the community centre is anticipating to use 60% less energy, and energy costs for the arena are expected to be reduced by 40%. "How it all balances out is to be seen yet," notes Stefaniuk. "But I do, and everyone else does expect a significant savings."

This award means a lot to the municipality, notes Stefaniuk. "Because we took a bit of a risk in going this way politically." But he says it shows Ritchot is at the forefront of current thinking and the municipality wants to be a good citizen of the earth by using natural things, reducing electrical consumption and natural gas. "This geothermal definitely fits into that category and we are very pleased to have done it and we're very pleased to get the recognition that we did from the FCM," he says.

Above Photo: Bob Stefaniuk receives award from Berry Vrbanovic, president of FCM