ARPA Lighting Project Completed in Lamar Library

ARPA General Manager Rick Rigel

Improved and lower cost LED lighting fixtures are now evident in the libraries of Arkansas River Power Authority member communities. The year long conversion project is coming to a close after the court-mandated project was announced last year. A dedication ceremony was held at the Cultural Events Center in Lamar, adjacent to the Lamar Public Library on Thursday morning, August 27.

LED Lights

ARPA General Manager, Rick Rigel, said the lighting conversion is expected to save $2,500 annually for Lamar and approximately $15,000 for the other ARPA member city libraries in Holly, Springfield, Las Animas, La Junta and Trinidad. “We have also worked on the La Junta Senior Center as well as the conversion for the old middle school in Las Animas, which is being converted into a community center,” he added.  The total cost of the project to date is $105,000.

Book Shelves Were Relocated to Accommodate Patrons Needs

Rigel said the last year’s consent decree from the court stipulated that a Supplemental Environmental Project, SEP, valued at approximately $125,000 had to be carried out as part of a court settlement with the environmental group, WildEarth Guardians. Prowers Count Development Incorporated was named the oversight organization which would coordinate and report on the lighting conversation projects. Rigel told the gathering that although a winterization project was first considered, it was determined that the benefits would have a small impact on the local populations and the LED lighting for each town’s libraries was a more viable selection. Although the project in Lamar is completed, Rigel said some work is needed in La Junta at the senior center and a small solar installation project is being considered for the community center in Las Animas.

By Russ Baldwin