Sustainable Sport NEWS

A NSW youth club stadium is lighting the way for others looking to slash their energy bills with the support of Low Carbon Australia.

The Central Coast Youth Club (CCYC) at Niagara Park on Gosford's northern outskirts, is expecting to reduce its court energy use by 64% following the installation of a new $50,000 high quality, clean technology lighting system by Global Sustainability Initiatives(GSI).

Global Sustainability Initiatives (GSI) Managing Director Jeremy Maslin said the club had replaced existing high bay lighting at the basketball courts, stadium entrance and trampoline area with an Australian designed and manufactured, multi lamp high technology reflector lighting.

Maslin said the new quality lighting system, which was installed in January, had already cut the club's total site energy use by 28%, slashing its $48,000 annual energy cost and its greenhouse gas emissions by 63 tonnes a year.

Maslin adds that the CCYC project inspired a similar lighting project at a neighbouring stadium which also realised a reduction in court lighting energy costs of 61%.

CCYC is part of GSI's National Stadium Program and joins a large number of recreation and sport arenas, facilities and stadiums from across New South Wales, Victoria and South

Australia that are working to reduce their energy costs and install a high quality, improved lighting solution.

Due to its success, the program has recently expanded to include other indoor sports venues and school gymnasiums.

CCYC General Manager Wayne Winiata said he thoroughly recommended other stadiums join the program immediately, stating "these are significant energy and cost reductions and the light levels have dramatically improved on ALL courts. We should have done this sooner."

Low Carbon Australia Chief Executive Meg McDonald said that Low Carbon Australia had tailored an innovative finance solution for CCYC that meant the club did not have to fund the $50,000 upfront project cost itself.

McDonald stated "instead, they're paying back the cost of the project over five years through the savings they have made on their energy bills.

"This project shines the light on what is possible for clubs that would like to make energy efficiency improvements now."

CCYC is home to the Basketball NSW Member Association Central Coast Waves and Power Basketball. It also hosts about 25 different internal clubs at its complex and can cater for sports as varied as badminton and gymnastics.

Since 2006, GSI have forged a reputation for quality and are a market leader in the design and delivery of energy and cost reduction programs and projects including the National Stadium Program with Basketball NSW, Collingwood 'Green Magpie' Program and the Australian Business Energy Saving Program.

Along with specialised services to building portfolios and one of Australia's largest and most detailed business energy use databases, GSI experience can develop a program or project for new customers that meets the high standards required to obtain 3rd party financing and meet all forms of government compliance.

Low Carbon Australia Limited is an independent company established by the Australian Government in 2010 to deliver innovative programs to help the move towards a low carbon economy.

For more information contact Jeremy Maslin of GSI on 03 9005 4700, E: jmaslin@globalsi.com.au, www.globalsi.com.au