YELLOWKNIFE - The 2007 Energy Action Awards were handed out March 6, in a ceremony at the Explorer Hotel.

Given by the Arctic Energy Alliance, three awards were presented that evening. Marino Casebeer, communications co-ordinator for the Arctic Energy Alliance, was pleased with the recipients of this year's honours, adding a four-member panel selected the winners.

A Grade 5 class at J.H. Sissons school received an Energy Action Award March 6, for their energy efficient model homes. - Alix McNaught/NNSL photo

Bellanca Developments Ltd. received the award for energy efficiency in the commercial category. The award was in recognition of the retrofit of the Bellanca building's exterior covering.

"The skin wasn't very good, heat retention-wise," said property manager Darin Benoit. "We were losing lots of heat."

The modifications Bellanca made allowed for both greater energy efficiency and a significant reduction in operating costs.

"It reduced our fuel bill anywhere from 40 to 50 per cent," said Benoit.

In addition to the re-cladding, Bellanca minimized the debris it produced by recycling insulation and cladding materials to other buildings.

"Bellanca and Dundee Realty Corporation (its parent company) are big go-green companies," said Benoit, explaining the reasons for the company's actions.

Benoit hopes that if others within the industry see the savings that are possible with energy efficient modifications, they will follow suit.

As for winning the award, Benoit said that it was "good, really good."

Under the commercial category of energy awareness, the award was given to the Racquet Club in recognition of changes it has made. The club installed motion sensor lights in its change and exercise rooms, as well as low-flush toilets throughout the facility.

"It makes sense financially and environmentally," said Kelli Hinchey, the manager/owner of the Racquet Club.

"It's just a waste of resources, money down the toilet," she said, referring to the way things were prior to the energy-efficient installations.

Not only has Hinchey seen the club's operating costs go down, but members have also been pleased with the changes.

"I understand one of our members put our name forward, so obviously the response has been positive," said Hinchey.

"I think it's a great honour, and it's really nice that people recognize that," she said of the award. The third award given out that night went to a Grade 5 French immersion class at J.H. Sissons school.

The class received the energy awareness residential award in recognition of energy-efficient model houses they had built as part of a school project.

Their teacher, Monique Marinier, was unavailable for comment, but had previously told Yellowknifer that she was immensely proud of her students and the work that they had done.