GOLDEN, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The new Aquaplex Recreation Center in Flagstaff, Arizona, will feature a 70-panel solar thermal system from Novan Solar Inc. of Golden, Colorado. This solar system will provide a significant portion of the energy needed to heat a large aquatics area - a state of the art leisure pool that includes two indoor/outdoor body slides, a “current channel,” family whirlpool, and a three-lane lap pool. The heating system will generate nearly 9,200 therms (92 million BTUs) of energy yearly. More than sixty metric tons of carbon dioxide (green house gases) will be offset by the system each year. This is the equivalent to 140 barrels of oil, or 6,810 gallons of gasoline, or the yearly energy use of 11 passenger cars, or the electricity use of 8 homes. The Aquaplex was designed by Barker Rinker Seacat Architecture of Denver, Colorado. With more than 150 centers in their portfolio, BRSA has been recognized nationally as a leader in the strategic planning, master planning, programming, and design of community recreation center. "Novan is proud to complete this turnkey solar thermal system with the city of Flagstaff. Their adoption of solar energy demonstrates a real commitment to their patrons, taxpayers, and the environment," Novan founder and president Jacob Futro stated. Novan also designed and built a 144-panel solar water heating system for the North Boulder Recreation Center in Boulder, Colorado, and a 70-panel system for the new Erie, Colorado Recreation Center. Novan was recently chosen to provide a 64-panel system for the Durango, Colorado Recreation Center, and has other recreation center projects planned for Colorado, Arizona, Utah and New Mexico. The Flagstaff Aquaplex is scheduled to open in late summer 2008. Other amenities will include a multi-activity gymnasium, weight and fitness area, aerobics/dance studio, a large community meeting room with catering kitchen, an elevated walk/jog track, a babysitting room, a game area, a party room, a climbing wall, and a natatorium.
