The Comox Valley Regional District Board is walking the walk on Climate Change and Resilience - investing in steps to reduce pollution and meet targets set in their Corporate Energy and Emissions Plan.
In 2026, they will take one of their biggest steps to reduce emissions yet, with changes planned for one of the CVRD’s biggest emissions sources: the Aquatic Centre.
The Corporate Energy and Emissions Plan maps out how the CVRD will reduce its organizational emissions to align with global targets set to reduce climate change impacts. Limiting global warming and avoiding the dire impacts on our natural systems – like flooding, extreme storms or droughts - requires everyone to work together. The CVRD’s Corporate Energy Plan maps out how they can do their part.
That means findings ways to reduce emissions by 50 per cent by 2030. In 2025, the CVRD recorded reduction in all major fossil fuel sources, including a 53 per cent reduction in gasoline emissions through reduced driving and continued electrification of their fleet. Next, they’re tackling the Aquatic Centre.
“The Comox Valley Sports Centre and Aquatic Centre account for about 60 per cent of our corporate emissions,” said Mike Zbarsky, Manager of Transit and Facilities. “This year our goal is to do major upgrades at the Aquatic Centre, which will reduce overall CVRD emissions by 30 per cent.”
As part of this summer’s maintenance cycle, aging mechanical systems at the Aquatic Centre powered by natural gas will be replaced with efficient heat pumps that will heat, cool and dehumidify the facility.
The $2.5 million investment is timed to replace aging equipment at the end of its useful life, ensuring that funds aren’t spent any earlier than necessary. This project will improve the facility’s environmental performance and support goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, while also being financially responsible. In addition, these upgrades will extend the overall life of the facility, helping preserve its long term reliability and functionality.
For the community – newer equipment also means the facility will be more comfortable with improved humidity control and air circulation. Less emissions and improved operations - a great benefit for the users of the Aquatic Centre.
To learn more about the Corporate Energy Plan and how the CVRD aims to achieve its emissions goals, visit: comoxvalleyrd.ca/cep
The Comox Valley Regional District is a partnership of three electoral areas and three municipalities operating on the unceded traditional territory of the K’ómoks First Nation, the traditional keepers of the land. The members of the regional district work collaboratively on providing sustainable services for the benefit of the diverse urban and rural areas of the Comox Valley.
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Media Contact:
Mike Zbarsky
Manager of Transit and Facilities
250-334-6037