Outcomes at a Glance

1. Reduced energy costs through improved ice-making equipment and solar power.

2. Eliminated dependence on oil heating, switching to heat pumps.

3. Upgraded accessibility features, ensuring compliance with community standards.

4. Strengthened its financial sustainability through strategic funding and government grants.

5. Revitalized membership, growing from 20–30 members to a viable, active club.

6. Integrated the club into the broader community, making it a key local resource.

About the Project

The Problem

The Liverpool Curling Club (LCC) opened its doors in 1936, providing a central hub for curling enthusiasts, recreation, and social engagement for the residents of Queens Municipality. However, outdated infrastructure, rising energy costs, high operational costs, and declining membership threatened its survival.

Putting a Plan in Place

In 2020, the club was on the verge of closing when the Board of Directors, club members, and community leaders came together and initiated a project to address the challenges impacting the club’s continuity. Initial retrofit plans suggested a full shutdown, but closing the facility risked losing members permanently and funding. Instead, leadership sought an alternative path—one that ensured sustainability without disrupting operations. The club opted for a multi-year phased approach, tackling upgrades one step at a time.

Approach and Funding Decisions

The initial plan to shutdown the club to carry out a large-scale deep retrofit was declined by a major funding partner because they were not convinced that the approach was financially or strategically sound given the risk of losing membership and revenue during the closure. This inspired a reframing of the project’s approach to a phased approach that spread over several years, ensuring curling activities remained uninterrupted. This new plan was accepted by the funder. Gordon Sampson, former club president explains, "instead of closing the club completely, we showed them a plan where we could do this over four to five years, without losing membership or revenue." 

Taking a phased approach to the deep retrofit meant the most critical energy-saving improvements could be prioritized while maintaining club operations. Each phase was carefully planned to maximize efficiency, reduce costs, and modernize infrastructure. 

As part of the early planning, the LCC sought support from Efficiency Nova Scotia to conduct an energy audit of the facility. This was not only essential for identifying the highest-impact upgrades, it was also required to qualify for funding and rebates. The audit helped shape a data-driven retrofit plan and served as a foundational piece for grant applications.

The shift in strategy also encouraged rethinking the club’s funding approach, expanding beyond major funders to tap into all available community, municipal, provincial, and federal funding sources. The way Gordon sees it, “If you get $50,000, don’t just spend it. Leverage it. Maybe that $50,000 can turn into $250,000 through matching grants.”

Retrofit Innovations

The first phase tackled the club's most urgent infrastructure issues, directly linked to energy efficiency and cost reduction. Since curling facilities require substantial power to maintain ice conditions, the ice plant and ice shed were top priority for this phase. Additional upgrades were made to the curling facilities, function rooms, and the facility’s exterior, which was modernized to improve accessibility and safety.

1. Ice Plant Overhaul

Curling clubs rely on ice-making equipment, which consumes significant amounts of energy. Upgrading the ice plant was essential for efficiency and financial sustainability. Key improvements included: 

• Installing energy-efficient motors,

• Rebuilding compressor and chiller

• Improving brine piping insulation, and 

• Upgrading evaporative condenser

2. Ice Shed Enhancements

The ice shed needed thermal and lighting improvements to optimize energy usage. The club implemented:

• New reflective ceiling system to reduce heat loss and improve insulation.

• LED lighting upgrades replacing older, high-energy-consuming fixtures.

• Wall insulation enhancements, including reflective panels for better heat retention.

• Relocation of the overhead dehumidifier, with new air distribution ducts to optimize moisture control.

3. Heating and building upgrades

To move away from expensive oil-based heating, the LCC installed heat pumps. This eliminated between $7,000–$11,000 annual fuel expenses. Additional upgrades involved:

• Replacing furnaces to reduce fossil fuel dependency.

• Installing high-efficiency doors and windows to prevent heat loss.

• Redesigning locker rooms and washrooms for improved accessibility.

• Flooring replacements for better durability and insulation.

4. Solar Power Implementation

One of the most significant sustainability wins was the installation of a 53-kilowatt solar generation system, fully funded by the LCC’s financial partners. This solar array now generates approximately $15,000 per year in electricity savings and acts as a long-term financial buffer, covering operational expenses.

5. Accessibility and community integration

Community is central to the LCC’s values and played a key role in shaping retrofit decisions. Upgrades were thoughtfully designed to benefit the broader public. As part of this commitment, the LCC ensured full compliance with Nova Scotia’s accessibility requirements for community buildings by:

• installing wheelchair-accessible entrances and washrooms.

• upgrading infrastructure to accommodate diverse user needs.

• repurposing club spaces for community events, making the facility a multi-functional resource.

6. Local sourcing and cost optimization

Guided by its core values, the LCC chose to source materials and services locally. This approach yielded several advantages, including reduced markup costs through fewer middle men, retained economic benefits within the community, and enhanced flexibility in project execution.

Challenges and Achievements

Challenges

Like every project, the LCC experienced challenges before and during phase one. 

• Getting buy-in for the project from club members who were focused on aesthetic improvements rather than sustainability, and making sure communication to the membership and community was clear.

• Convincing stakeholders that long-term energy savings outweighed short-term expenses.

• Navigating funding complexities, ensuring grant applications were compelling and strategic.

Gordon reflected on the difficulty of getting buy-in, "people want immediate gratification—they want shiny things. But if you’re not efficient, you won’t survive. That was a tough sell."

Achievements

One of the biggest successes was securing full funding for the solar project through community partnerships. Gordon explained that “the solar project alone is worth nearly $470,000 over 25 years. It’s guaranteed income for the club, covering operational costs." As the first curling club in Nova Scotia to adopt solar power, the LCC has set a precedent for sustainable retrofits and now serves as a model for other clubs across the province.

Additional achievements included immediate financial returns from fully funded energy projects, deeper community involvement through the transformation of the club into a multi-purpose space, and infrastructure improvements that extended the facility’s lifespan.

By positioning the club as a vital community resource, the LCC broadened its fundraising efforts to support initiatives beyond curling, including food banks, minor hockey, and summer programming. This inclusive approach earned widespread support from local organizations, government officials, and community leaders—including the Mayor, Queens Community Health Board, Queens Care Society, and the Nova Scotia Teachers Union.

Insights from the LCC's Deep Retrofit Journey

The LCC’s retrofit initiative offers a practical blueprint for achieving long-term sustainability and financial resilience. Drawing from their experience, the team recommends the following principles for organizations pursuing similar projects:

• Adopt a phased approach: Spreading out costs and upgrades over time maintains financial stability and avoids full shutdowns that could impact membership.

• Use funding strategically: Begin with a private community partner to secure seed money, then leverage that support to unlock larger grants. Prioritize long-term impact by reducing energy costs first, and apply for grants thoughtfully—keeping proposals concise and aligned with application requirements.

• Utilize local expertise: Identify and tap into existing community-based resources. This reduces project costs and demonstrates meaningful local engagement to potential funders.

• Build strong partnerships: Collaborate with local government, businesses, and advocacy groups to grow membership, attract sponsorship, and gain sustained support for future projects.

• Engage stakeholders: Involve club members and the broader community during every phase to foster transparency, support, and shared ownership.

• Conduct an energy audit early: Contact your regional efficiency utility (e.g., Efficiency Nova Scotia) to uncover opportunities for savings and improvement.