W

hen the San Diego Ice Arena (SDIA) was built in 1975 under the name House of Ice, the sur-

rounding Mira Mesa area was wide open, and sustainable energy was a non-issue, even in California. Today, the heavily devel- oped community is packed with housing and shopping malls, but SDIA continues to enjoy its convenient location just three min- utes from the highway. As for sustainable energy, that picture has changed dramati- cally in 40 years as well, and SDIA has taken a leadership position in the Sustainable San Diego Energy Innovation program by com- mitting to a solar installation project.

Brothers Philip and Mark Linssen

acquired SDIA in 2000, and are directly involved in the day-to-day management of the facility, along with a strong team of directors, including: Gaston Larios, business development/fun director; CJ Scheurman, operations manager; Wendy Smith, figure skating director; and Craig Sterling, hockey director. Te solar installation project under

way at SDIA comprises two solar arrays in front of the building, consisting of 1,008 panels on a 272 kW system. “We anticipate this will supply approximately 60 percent of our facility’s power needs,” says Mark Linssen. “We believe that if we don’t change the way we do business, we won’t be around to see it grow. Solar energy is just one step closer to a sustain- able business.” Te steel arrays will provide three

Mark Linssen, Gaston Larios and Philip Linssen

lengths of covered and shaded parking. In addition to the arrays, SDIA is working on an ADA-compliant patio, with sloped access ramps, handrail access steps and general improvements, and an updated ice resurfacer recharging structure in

SDIA solar array project in progress

the rear maintenance yard to replace the existing aging and rusted enclosure. “Tis will be a sizable improvement,

approximately six times the current size, and will have the structural integrity to mount an outdoor dehumidifier if and when we replace our existing indoor unit,” Linssen adds. He anticipates a five-year payback period for the entire project. But the outdoor construction activ- ity is nothing compared to the busy pace inside this 35,000-square-foot, year-round arena, which features a sin- gle-surface rink with a sand floor and

ISI EDGE WINTER 2014

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