IGS to Donate Solar Panels to Columbus Recreation and Parks Department for Linden Community Center
The
Columbus Recreation and Parks Department is announcing that IGS of Dublin will
be donating 200 solar panels to use on the roof of the Linden Community Center
that is currently being built.
This
generous donation will save the department approximately $125,000. These
70-kilowatt hour solar panels have an operating life of more than 30 years.
These solar panels will have the annual green equivalent of taking 15 cars off
the road or burning 77,000 pounds of coal.
“IGS is proud to bring
solar power to the Linden community, and we commend the City of Columbus for
investing in the growth and development of historic neighborhoods,” said
Patrick Smith, vice president of IGS Solar. “As a corporate citizen of central
Ohio and a responsible steward of the environment, we are committed to building
a sustainable energy future together in the areas in which we live and work.”
“We
appreciate IGS being willing to make such a large donation to the Linden
Community Center,” said Paul Rakosky, interim director of Columbus Recreation
and Parks Department. “This will be a great way to make our facility more
environmentally friendly and sustainable moving into the future.”
The
previous Linden Community Center was an outdated 24,000-square-foot structure.
The new facility will more than double that size to approximately 55,000 square
feet. Some of the features of this new center will include: an elevated walking
track; gymnasium, mat room, fitness room and dance studio; a demonstration and
teaching kitchen; a music studio for residents to learn and create; computers
for residents to use; designated spaces for arts and ceramics; fitness
facilities and the department’s first full-size regulation basketball courts
that will not only support basketball, but also pickleball, volleyball and much
more. The Linden Community Center will also offer several multi-use programming
and partner spaces.
Additionally, the 20-acre Linden Park will be
renovated with sports fields, a shelterhouse, an outdoor performance area, a
new pond, a sprayground and courtesy of the Columbus Blue Jackets, a Blue
Jackets-themed playground.