The Columbia Basin Trust is providing funding for 29 non-profits across the basin to allow them to reduce their energy use, create fewer greenhouse gases and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
One of the projects will include improvements to the very busy Baynes Lake Community Hall. The hall acts as a community hub, the Baynes Lake farmers’ market uses it to serve pancake breakfast, it is used for exercise class and dinners.
The improvements will help with heating and cooling as well as make it more fire-resilient with new siding, windows and exterior doors.
“The hall and grounds serve as an anchor in the community, positively influencing health and social well-being,” said Treanne See, society member. “Replacing the aging building envelope will make our infrastructure more resilient, ensuring the facility is viable going forward while reducing both heating and cooling costs, as well as greenhouse gas emissions.”
Also in Creston, the Creston Valley Gleaners Society, with two thrift stores and a food bank, will be adding solar panels to the building that houses the Gleaners One thrift store and the Creston Food Bank.
“The Gleaners organization uses considerable electricity to be able to carry out its services,” said Lane Hutton, Vice-President, on behalf of the Gleaners Board. “The solar power system will reduce those costs and allow Gleaners to contribute even more to the needs of the community, having an impact far beyond just the organization itself. It will be an added bonus to demonstrate the use of clean energy technology and share this knowledge with other organizations who may be looking to do the same.”
“Non-profit organizations hold important roles when it comes to well-being in the region, from serving vulnerable people to acting as stewards of the natural environment,” Ulli Mueller, Senior Manager, Columbia Basin Trust said in a press release. “By making operational changes and infrastructure upgrades non-profits around the Basin will realize energy-savings for years to come while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and becoming more resilient to climate change.”