TOWNSHIP OF ESQUIMALT MEMORANDUM
MEETING DATE: April 20, 2026, Report No. P&R-26-005
TO: Committee of the Whole
FROM: Steve Knoke, Director Parks and Recreation
SUBJECT: GHG Reduction Pathway Through Building Retrofits
INFORMATION:
The purpose of this memorandum is to update Council on corporate greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction progress based on the findings of the recently completed Building Retrofit Feasibility Study, and to outline how the study supports the Township’s long-term climate action objectives.
The Township of Esquimalt commissioned a Building Retrofit Feasibility Study to identify a near net-zero greenhouse gas reduction pathway for five major municipal facilities:
1. Esquimalt Recreation Centre
2. Archie Browning Sports Centre
3. Municipal Hall
4. Public Works Yard
5. Parks Nursery Building
The study was completed by WSP and funded in part through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Community Building Retrofit Program. The scope of work included detailed energy audits (Appendix A), building condition assessments (Appendix B), airtightness testing, and the development of multiple GHG reduction scenarios ranging from short-term efficiency measures to long-term deep retrofits.
Corporate GHG Baseline Summary
Based on benchmarking completed as part of the study, these five facilities represent the majority of the Township’s corporate building-related GHG emissions.
• The Esquimalt Recreation Centre and Archie Browning Sports Centre are the largest emission sources due to their size, energy intensity, and reliance on natural gas for space and water heating.
• Municipal Hall, the Public Works Yard, and the Parks Nursery contribute comparatively lower emissions but present more straightforward and cost-effective opportunities for electrification and energy efficiency upgrades.
The establishment of consistent, facility-specific baselines provides a defensible foundation for tracking emissions reductions over time and evaluating future capital investments.
Progress to Date
The Township has already made meaningful progress in reducing corporate GHG emissions through recent capital renewal and operational improvements, many of which are reflected in the study findings. Key actions include:
• Installation of high-efficiency boilers, heat pumps, and building automation system upgrades at major recreation facilities
• LED lighting retrofits across several municipal buildings
• Ice plant, mechanical, and dehumidification upgrades at Archie Browning Sports Centre, resulting in significant natural gas reductions
• Partial electrification, on-site solar PV installation, and EV charging infrastructure at the Parks Nursery
• Roof replacements, controls upgrades, and mechanical renewals at Municipal Hall
These initiatives demonstrate that GHG reductions are already being realized as part of normal asset management and service delivery, while also improving building performance and reliability.
Building Condition Assessments and Capital Planning
As part of the Building Retrofit Feasibility Study, building condition assessments (BCAs) were completed for each of the five facilities. While the primary focus of the study was energy use and GHG reduction, the inclusion of BCAs represented a valuable opportunity to assess overall building condition alongside decarbonization planning.
The BCAs provide updated, facility-specific information on:
• The condition and remaining service life of major building components and systems
• Near-term and long-term capital renewal requirements
• Opportunities to align GHG reduction measures with planned asset replacement
These assessments strengthen the Township’s capital planning and asset management processes by ensuring that climate-related investments are coordinated with required lifecycle renewals, improving cost-effectiveness and reducing the risk of stranded assets. The integration of BCAs with energy and emissions analysis supports more informed decision-making and reinforces a long-term, financially responsible approach to reducing corporate GHG emissions.
Alignment with Climate Action Plan
The Building Retrofit Feasibility Study directly supports the Township’s Community Climate Mitigation Plan, specifically the identified “Big Move” to Retrofit Existing Buildings, which is a cornerstone of the Township’s climate action strategy.
The study advances this priority by delivering:
• Data-driven pathways to achieve the Township’s 2030 corporate GHG reduction targets, grounded in detailed energy and emissions modelling
• Building-specific, costed retrofit recommendations for all major municipal facilities, enabling informed and defensible capital planning
• Phased implementation options (short, medium, and long-term), allowing GHG reduction measures to be aligned with asset renewal cycles, financial capacity, and service continuity
• A clear demonstration of municipal leadership, with the Township leading by example in decarbonizing its own facilities prior to encouraging similar actions within the broader community
In addition, the retrofit recommendations align well with provincial and federal support programs, including CleanBC Better Buildings and the Canada Greener Homes Initiative, improving the Township’s ability to leverage senior government funding. Collectively, the study provides a practical framework to support Council’s commitment to corporate carbon neutrality by 2030.
GHG Reduction Pathways Identified
The study evaluated six GHG reduction scenarios across the five facilities. Key findings include:
• Short-term retrofit scenarios (approximately 5 years) can achieve 45-50% GHG reductions, primarily through energy efficiency improvements and targeted electrification
• Medium-term pathways (approximately 10 years) can achieve around 50% reductions from current baselines, aligned with planned capital renewal
• Long-term deep retrofit pathways (up to 20 years) demonstrate the potential to achieve up to 80% GHG reductions, approaching near net-zero performance
• An optimized outcome scenario balances aggressive emissions reductions with asset management objectives, affordability, and operational practicality
Across all scenarios, electrification of space and water heating systems, heat recovery, and on-site renewable energy generation provide the most significant emissions reductions.
Key Considerations
• Facilities with the highest emissions are also the most operationally complex and capital-intensive to decarbonize
• Aligning major GHG reduction measures with planned capital renewal significantly improves cost-effectiveness
• Full implementation will require a phased, multi-year approach, informed by Council priorities, budget capacity, and availability of external funding
Next Steps
Staff will use the results of the study to:
• Integrate GHG reduction pathways into asset management and long-term capital planning
• Prioritize low-cost and high-impact measures for near-term implementation
• Pursue external funding opportunities to reduce net capital costs
• Report back to Council with recommended implementation priorities and associated costs for consideration through future budget processes
Conclusion
The Building Retrofit Feasibility Study confirms that the Township has already made progress in reducing corporate greenhouse gas emissions and that significant additional reductions are achievable through planned, phased investments. The study provides Council with a clear, data-driven roadmap to advance climate objectives while maintaining critical municipal services.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
That the Committee of the Whole recommend to Council that Staff Report P&R-26-005 be received for information.
Body
REVIEWED BY:
1. Bill Brown, Director of Development Services, Reviewed
2. Joel Clary, Director of Engineering, Reviewed
3. Ian Irvine, Director of Finance, Reviewed
4. Sarah Holloway, Manager of Corporate Services, Reviewed
5. Dan Horan, Chief Administrative Officer, Concurrence
LIST OF ATTACHMENTS:
List all items attached to the Staff Report
1. Appendix A- Council Presentation GHG Reduction Pathways
2. Appendix B - Building Condition Assessments 2025 WSP