In recent years, rising energy costs have increased the cost of operating our warm-water therapy pool, but we have found ways to reduce those costs by installing a solar hot water system with pool and spa covers.
St. Ann Center, which is sponsored by the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi, is not only saving money through these measures, it is also fulfilling one of its Franciscan values, to care for creation, by eliminating the release of tons of greenhouse gases each year.
“The solar thermal system and the covers will enable us to redirect the money we save on energy to services for our clients,” according to Sr. Edna Lonergan, St. Ann Center president. “This helps us fulfill our mission to serve the community.”
Because the entire solar thermal project will be funded by grants, St. Ann Center will get an immediate return on investment through lower energy bills. We expect two-thirds of the $30,000 project will be paid by grants from Wisconsin Focus on Energy and We Energies, and the balance was already donated by a longtime friend of St. Ann Center.
Last year another St. Ann Center friend, paid for the pool and whirlpool spa covers, which have saved us hundreds of dollars of fuel costs each month since installation.
Full Spectrum Solar (Madison) is expected to complete the St. Ann Center solar thermal system in April. The pool and spa will still use a backup boiler that will operate at night or on cloudy days.
St. Ann Center is a handicapped accessible facility that offers aquatic programs, swimming lessons, physical therapy, and recreational swimming to adults and children enrolled in day care programs and the general public. For more information about St. Ann Center’s Aquatic Program, please contact Kristen Benetti at (414) 977-5015 or kbenetti@stanncenter.org.
Written by Barbara Finley
