South Ridge Recreation Centre (YMCA) with new lighting installed. (Image Credit: City of Medicine Hat)

By Jesse Gill

Community Energy Conservation program

LED upgrades completed at South Ridge Recreation Centre and Medalta Potteries

Mar 24, 2026 | 10:20 AM

A pair of facilities in Medicine Hat are now benefiting from the Municipal Climate Change Action Centre’s (MCCAC) Community Energy Conservation program.

The program funded by the Alberta government allowed the City of Medicine Hat to complete energy-efficient lighting upgrades at Medalta Potteries and the South Ridge Recreation Centre (YMCA).

Both facilities had aging, high‑consumption lighting before the switch.

The City upgraded a combined 312 fixtures and retrofitted 408 fluorescent tubes with LED technology as part of $69,976 in government funding through the program.

Prioritization was given by City staff to areas where lighting systems were nearing the end of their service life or were using older technology.

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Examples included metal halide, high‑pressure sodium, and fluorescent lamps.

The City stated that the new LED fixtures use approximately 30 to 50 per cent less electricity, contributing to lower utility requirements and reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Based on the MCCAC’s lighting calculator, the improvements according to the City are expected to reduce lifetime GHG emissions by roughly 686 tonnes and generate an estimated $24,630 in annual utility savings.

“These upgrades demonstrate how targeted investments can make a real difference,” acting manager of facilities management Kevin Schaaf said in a statement.

“Being able to retrofit existing fixtures helps stretch project dollars further while minimizing disruptions for facility users,” he added.

“We appreciate the support from the MCCAC and look forward to continued collaboration.”

“We are pleased that Medicine Hat has returned to the MCCAC for more savings,” MCCAC executive director Trina Innes said in a statement.

“This latest project cuts another $24,000 off their utility bills. We admire their commitment to energy efficiency and are glad we can help facilitate it.”