POWERGRAMS

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 23 Thanks to Hal Wadsworth's initiative and help from Alabama Power Energy Services, the Eufaula Community Center's natatorium is receiving a facelift, once again becoming a welcoming spot for local swimmers and other visitors. As part of a tour of the community center, Wadsworth saw there were major issues with the natatorium and stepped in to help. "It was so humid, and water was dripping from the rafters," said Wadsworth, Alabama Power Southeast Division Marketing manager. "The humidity had caused so much damage that the metal doors wouldn't open. I felt Alabama Power could help provide a solution." Keef Pettis, director of Eufaula Parks and Recreation, said those issues were only the tip of the iceberg. The facility had been without a working dehumidification system for about 10 years. Although a couple of systems had been installed through the years, they failed to do the job. "We called the natatorium the 'rain forest' because it was so humid and water just dripped from the ceiling. The six roll-up doors and many of the trusses in the rafters had rusted," Pettis said. "We were still using the pool. But the natatorium was deteriorating so much that if we didn't do something, we were going to lose it." When Wadsworth explained that Alabama Power could provide a turnkey solution that would meet the needs of the facility and take the burden off the customer, Pettis was "all ears." After the tour, Wadsworth, Pettis and Energy Services Project Manager Christina Nix met to determine the best solution. "The community center was looking for someone who would take control of the system so it could focus on its own customers and pour its resources back into the community," said Nix. "It sounded like a good opportunity for us to bring Sparkfund and its technology subscription service to the table." Since 2018, Alabama Power has teamed with Sparkfund, a nationwide company that provides flexible financing options and expanded energy services capabilities to its partners. One of the solutions offered by the Washington, D.C.-based technology subscription service will cover the cost of installing, monitoring and repairing operational equipment like dehumidification systems. For a monthly fee, Sparkfund monitors and maintains the system, taking the burden off the customer. "The community center was interested in going this route because Alabama Power will stand behind the product and make sure it continues to work properly," Wadsworth said. "The customer knows we will stay in touch, listen to their concerns and convey their needs to Sparkfund." The city of Eufaula signed a contract with Alabama Power in 2020, which allowed the company to partner with Sparkfund to design, procure and install the system. The installation of the unit and air handlers was completed last June, and the system began operation in September 2021. Nix said Alabama Power Energy Services has worked closely with the customer to ensure the unit is meeting the facility's needs. "Natatoriums are notoriously difficult to support, given the amount of water and air that need to be conditioned," she said. "The addition of chemicals further complicates the system. Given the high visibility of this pool, a full solution to the issue needed to be constructed instead of just patches/improvements. The team worked really hard to deliver more than just a working solution to the customer, but also we wanted to provide them with a peace of mind." Pettis said the community is excited to have a new pool dehumidification system backed by Alabama Power. "I can't say how relieved we are to know that the problem is not ours anymore; that monster is gone," Pettis said. "Alabama Power is very involved in the community and is not going anywhere. If something doesn't work, they know how to reach out to the right people to get the problem fixed. We're guaranteed that the system will work, and that gives us peace of mind to plan accordingly." Pettis said the community center is now poised to take the next step. The city has passed a bond issue that will pay for the complete renovation of the natatorium as well as other center upgrades. "Now that our dehumidification problem is gone, we are on the right path to updating the pool area and the community center," said Jennifer Lunsford, Eufaula Community Center supervisor. "We will be able to host bigger swim meets and other events, which will help us generate more revenue for our community." Since forming the partnership, Alabama Power Energy Services and Sparkfund have worked together on three projects. In addition to the Eufaula Community Center natatorium project, Alabama Power and Sparkfund partnered to provide services to the Thomasville Regional Medical Center and the city of Jackson Industrial Development Board. "It has been very important to have a partner in the community like Alabama Power," said Matt Bosch, Sparkfund vice president. "No one in the state has relationships like the folks at Alabama Power. That is critical because it allows us to bring innovation and technology guarantees to Alabama communities and they trust us because Alabama Power is standing behind our systems." Nix said Energy Services is proud to help customers like the community center find operational solutions. "Alabama Power has been involved in the economic and community development of the state for years," she said. "And now, through Energy Services, we can bring our energy expertise to customers and help them find solutions on their side of the meter, which we couldn't do in the past. That frees them up to pour their resources and energy into the growth of their business." By Carla Davis COMPANY TEAMS WITH SPARKFUND TO RENOVATE EUFAULA NATATORIUM Dehumidification unit 1 is lifted by crane for placement at Eufaula Community Center. PHOTO COURTESY OF EUFAULA COMMUNITY CENTER

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