Around the Arch Blog

The Winter Senior Games is a program dedicated to promoting and implementing fitness programs and activities for people 50 years and better. Taking place Feb. 4-14, the games offer 30 events within 10 disciplines. From ski racing to table tennis to pickleball..it’s on! For more infomation or register, please visit www.reno.gov/SENIORGAMES or call 775.334.2262.

The cost is $20 for registration before January 25, $30 after January 25. The registration fee permits you to participate in the Senior Games. In addition, each event has a $10 fee, except for Cross Country Ski which is $15.

The City of Reno has partnered with the U.S. Department of Agriculture in the effort to keep children eating healthy while school is out for the summer. During summer vacation, the City ofRenowill provide meals to all children 18 and under free of charge at various locations. There is no income requirement or registration. Students enrolled in City ofRenosummer camps will also receive these meals. A schedule of food service sites is listed below:

For additional information, please call Alan Roney, Recreation Supervisor at (775) 334-2262 or visit www.reno.gov/parksandrec.

2012 Reno’s Park & Recreation Summer Program Brochure Available 

The City of Reno Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department has released the 2012 Summer Program Brochure. The Brochure contains information on the ice-skating rink, recreation programs and classes, special events, senior programs, winter camps, facility and pool schedules, a park directory and more.

In an effort to reduce waste and be fiscally prudent, the brochure is not being mailed unless requested. A copy is available online for download in .pdf format at reno.gov/parksandrec. Brochures are also available at any of the followingReno parks and recreation facilities:

Evelyn Mount Northeast Community Center, 1301 Valley Road
Neil Road Recreation Center, 3925 Neil Road
McKinley Arts & Culture Center, 925 Riverside Drive
Teglia’s Paradise Park Activity Center, 2745 Elementary Drive
Southside Cultural Center, 190 East Liberty Street
Northwest Pool, 2925 Apollo Way

To have a copy mailed to you or for more information, please call (775) 334.2262 or visit www.reno.gov/parksandrec.

The Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP) recently published a report on ARRA funded energy efficiency projects entitled “Innovative Energy Efficiency Projects Implemented by Local Governments in the Southwest.” It reports on how eight cities in the southwest used ARRA energy funds to improve efficiency and the City of Reno is featured.

The City of Reno in nearing completion of the first phase of the Reno Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Initiative. The Initiative represents a $20 million investment in energy projects funded through grants, rebates and future energy savings. The Initiative was launched at direction of the Reno City Council in 2008.

In the spring of 2011, the City received a $568,700 grant from the Nevada State Office of Energy through the Stimulus Act to install LED pedestrian signal lights and street lights. Through the grant, the City has installed 781 LED pedestrian signal lights that are 77% more efficient than the old ones. The City also installed 730 LED streetlights at intersections that are 44% more efficient. All told, the retrofit will conserve 490,329 kWh per year and save the general fund more than $48,000 per year. There will be additional savings with decreased maintenance needed.

The Reno Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Initiative has successfully performed numerous energy retrofits and installed solar and wind energy systems on City facilities since the first solar array went in in December 2008. To date, the City has installed 9 wind turbines and is receiving power from 1,287 kW in solar PV. In December 2011, the City surpassed 1,000,000 kWh from these renewable energy systems. Production from all systems can be monitored and downloaded from the Green Energy Dashboard at www.reno.gov

31 kW solar PV array at Fire Station #11 in northwest Reno.

The City of Reno in nearing completion of the first phase of the Reno Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Initiative. The Initiative represents a $20 million investment in energy projects funded through grants, rebates and future energy savings. The Initiative was launched at direction of the Reno City Council in 2008.

The year before the Initiative was launched the City used 20,338,249 kWh and had a total energy bill of $5,146,343. The bulk of the work was completed in 2010 and 2011 and the savings are already starting to show. In 2011, the City had reduced its electricty use to 14,985,571, a 26% reduction. The total energy bill also decreased to $3,924,091. In 2012, the City should realize even greater savings as there will be a full year of savings.

The City of Reno recently completed adding 1,027 kW of solar photovoltaic electricity to its power supply through a third party Power Purchase Agreement with Nevada Solar Works. With the addition of these projects under the Reno Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Initiative, the City will receive 18-20% of its power from the sun.

The largest installation is at the Stead Wastewater Treatment Plant. It is a 522 kW array consisting of 2,520 panels that is estimated to produce almost 1 million kWh per year.

The project was made possible through the NV Energy SolarGenerations rebate program made possible by the Nevada State Legislature and the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada.