Energized!
July 16th, the solar panel installation project was completed and WSC starting generating solar power!
As always, volunteer effort is the backbone of our club, and this project was accomplished through significant volunteer effort prior to and over the July 15-16th weekend. A year ago at Sailweek, much discussion on the solar possibility for our club planted the seed for the project and from there, it took root. A Solar Team was formed to explore the possibility and prepare a proposal for the AGM. The Wabamun Sailing Club membership recognized the environmental and financial value of this project and approved this project at the 2023 AGM. The panels were installed and energized over the July 15-16th weekend.
First off, a huge THANK-YOU to Dan Hider! Without Dan’s knowledge, expertise, and engagement to complete the project, this project would not have been possible. Dan is Ken Tichkowsky’s son-in-law, and is passionate about energy alternative solutions. He volunteered his time, effort and know-how, and his contributions to the success of this project are invaluable! As a small token of our appreciation and to recognize his effort for our club, the Executive granted Dan an Auxiliary Membership for 2023.
I would also like to recognize the solar project team of Dan Hider, Brian Mark, Rob Woods, and James Brown. The advanced planning and preparation made the project proceed on-budget and on-schedule!
Big thanks to our Shore-Captain Brian Mark. Beyond being an integral member of the Solar Project team, Brian arranged for the roof the be reshingled in time for the solar panel install and arranged for the awesome scaffolding staircase to the roof which significantly increased safety and efficiency.
Thank you to WSC member Neil Dickey, P.Eng., who volunteered his time and expertise and completed a professional engineering evaluation of the structural integrity of the roof to ensure that the roof was able to safely support the solar panels.
To those who dedicated a large part of their July 15-16 weekend to the installation project; Huge Thank You to Dan Hider, Brian Mark, Rob Woods, Ken Tichkowsky, Bruce Barss, Mark Bugiak, Ian Tichkowsky, Frank Kortbeek, Russel Krause, David Sorensen, Lawrence Elliott, James Brown!
Big Thanks to Wanda Bornn and Neil Dickey who prepared lunches and refreshments over the weekend to keep the volunteers fueled and refreshed!
And to all those who jumped in to contribute when they saw an opportunity to help by backfilling trenches, holding the panel stack, carrying panels, troubleshooting equipment, or many other needed tasks; namely Fred Hadley, Mae Hadley, Corinne Brown, Heidi Veluw, Sudhakar Silvapalan, Peter van Muyden, Jordyce van Muyden, Roy Tichkowsky, John Henderson, and of course, the ‘Commodore for the Day on July 16th’ and future motivational speaker, young Spencer Woods.
Thanks to all! If you contributed and were not mentioned, I apologize but recognize your contribution was valued!
On behalf of The Solar Team (Brian Mark, Rob Woods, Dan Hider, James Brown)