Federal funding supports solar panels for Hiawatha First Nation cultural centre – Peterborough [Video]

More than $284,000 in federal funding will support installation of solar panels on the Hiawatha First Nation LIFE and Cultural Centre, located south of Peterborough, Ont.

Pickering-Uxbridge MP Jennifer O’Connell, parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities and Hiawatha First Nation Chief Laurie Carr announced Thursday that the federal government will provide $284,219 for the project via the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings.

The 42,000-square-foot cultural centre, which includes the Lasting Individual Family Enrichment Centre (LIFE), was constructed by JR Certus Construction and completed in spring 2021. An official opening was held in September of that year.

The solar panel project will feature a 73.5-kilowatt roof-mounted energy system with 210 modules of 350-watt photovoltaic panels. The government says the improvements are expected to reduce the facility’s energy consumption by an estimated 21.4 per cent and greenhouse gas emissions by 3.5 tonnes annually.

The result should reduce the facility’s energy costs and …