Yukon plans to expand solar heating of swimming pools
Systems to be installed in Ross River, Carcross, Beaver Creek and Pelly Crossing
The Yukon Government is planning to install solar heating systems at four rural Yukon pools.
Installations are being planned for pools in Ross River, Carcross, Beaver Creek and Pelly Crossing. The budget for the project is about $350,000 from the federal gas tax.
Project manager Mike O'Connor says the systems will cut back on the nearly $5,000 annual bill each pool costs the territory.
"We would consider it a success if we could cover 70 per cent of the annual operating costs of the pool," he said.
Solar heating systems work well in Yukon summers. Similar ones are being used in pools in Dawson City and Mayo.
"From all indicators, they have been performing quite well, so we thought a good spend for the gas tax money would be to go into those communities and do the same thing," he said.
The government has issued a tender to bid on the solar project. Contractors have until March 19 to submit proposals.