Originally constructed in 1999, this multi-story, 170,000-square-foot arena serves as a premier venue for a diverse range of sports and entertainment events. This renovation project is being executed through a guaranteed energy savings contract, in a phased approach, strategically scheduled to align with the ice hockey off-season to minimize disruptions.
CMTA, a Legence company, collaborated with our sister companies, Provident Energy Consulting and ICS, to complete this project. Provident Energy Consulting partnered with CMTA and LCCCA to identify energy-saving opportunities, while ICS is managing construction.
This project is being implemented in a phased approach, with construction occurring during the ice hockey off-season. As part of the partnership, CMTA completed an application for the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant, and LCCCA was awarded $2,000,000 to help fund this project.
- Phase 1: This phase involved the replacement of 73 water source heat pumps (WSHPs) with new high-efficiency models. Many of the WSHPs had failed, necessitating an expedited design process to meet the tight construction timeline. These WSHPs primarily served the arena’s suites, making their installation critical before the hockey season began in October 2023. Phase 1 was successfully completed in September 2023.
- Phase 2: The second phase included the replacement of 35 aging wooden light poles and their associated electrical infrastructure. Shallowly buried conduits and wiring had caused frequent electrical faults, forcing the arena to rely on costly temporary lighting powered by generators. To resolve this, CMTA installed high efficiency LED lighting in a redesigned layout, reducing the number of light poles from 35 to 18 while improving average lighting levels by 142% across the lot. This phase was also completed in September 2023.
- Phase 3: This phase included the replacement of the 23-year-old R22 refrigeration plant that serves the ice floor. A new high-efficiency industrial-grade refrigeration system was installed, ensuring enhanced performance and energy efficiency. This phase was successfully completed in the summer of 2024, and the upgraded system is fully operational for the 2024-2025 hockey season.
- Phase 4: This phase involves the replacement of the building chiller and chilled water pumps, coupled with a comprehensive upgrade to the building automation system. Construction is currently in progress and set to be completed by August 2025.
- Phase 5: This phase involves the replacement of the cooling tower system, a critical component that provides cooling for all HVAC systems at the arena. Construction is in progress and projected to be completed by August 2025.
- Phase 6: This phase involves the replacement of a failed outside air makeup air unit, an essential system for proper ventilation and air quality. Construction for this final phase is also in progress and is scheduled to be completed by August 2025.
Since CMTA began collaborating with the arena in 2022, significant progress has been made in reducing its Energy Use Intensity (EUI). The arena’s baseline EUI in 2019 was 170.9, but this year, it is on track to achieve an EUI of 153.7, representing a 10.1% reduction. This improvement has not only enhanced operational efficiency but has also resulted in substantial financial benefits, with $84,562 in utility savings realized to date.
Additionally, in collaboration with CMTA, the Lancaster County Convention Center Authority (LCCCA) secured $2,000,000 in funding through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant to support this initiative. The project scope, developed during the summer of 2023, focuses on addressing the facility’s most pressing needs.
