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Fort Frances has secured federal funding for a solar project at the Memorial Sports Centre.

The $589,762 come from the government’s Green and Inclusive Community Buildings Program, which helps projects that reduce emissions, increase energy efficiency and build resiliency to climate change.

The town is using the money to expand on a solar system put in place 15 years ago.

Mayor Andrew Hallikas says it will lead to a 500-kilowatt rooftop system being established.

“This system will support the reduction of utility costs for the centre as well as help the municipality shed emissions and promote sustainable energy consumption in our most energy-intensive facility,” states Hallikas in a release.

The system will convert solar energy into clean electricity for direct use at the centre.

“By reducing emissions, boosting energy efficiency, and lowering operating costs, projects like this in Fort Frances help make recreation more affordable and accessible while supporting activities that bring people together,” states Marcus Powlowski, MPP for Thunder Bay-Rainy River.

A 10-kilowatt solar system was first installed at the centre in 2011, as part of a project that also saw them erected on the roofs of the public works department building, a former daycare building and the water treatment plant.