Getting a new energy-efficient fridge or replacing an old dishwasher may not seem exciting, but it really isn’t about the fridge. Energizing Spaces powered by ENMAX has been transforming communities through new energy-efficient appliance since 2015, and we know that a fridge is rarely just a fridge.
Check out these incredible community stories from our 2025 Grant Recipients:
Keeping Cool with the Calgary Lawn Bowling Club
The sport of Lawn Bowling is a wonderful, low-impact activity that offers fantastic social opportunities. However, those hot Calgary summer temperatures can make hydration a real challenge for players.
To ensure their members stay cool, the Calgary Lawn Bowling Club relies on portable water coolers. The issue? Their clubhouse refrigerator lacked a freezer compartment! This meant they struggled to keep a steady supply of ice available during peak summer heat.
Thanks to Energizing Spaces powered by ENMAX, the Calgary Lawn Bowling Club was able to purchase a stand-alone freezer!
This essential addition is a game-changer for staying cool on those hot days. Beyond providing plenty of ice, the freezer allows the club to safely store extra snacks, and the club can now offer frozen snacks for their youth participants throughout the season.
More than Just Amenities: Monterey Park Community Association
Monterey Park Community Association serves hundreds of families in their quiet northeast corner of the city. While they are full of heart and passion, their community center was in dire need of some basic upgrades to keep up with the changing needs of their community. The centre’s aging appliances – most over a decade old – were constantly breaking down. Their inefficiencies and the rising costs of repairs were costing the centre more money each month. While they considered purchasing a new fridge and the other appliances the centre needed, their limited financial resources had to be used on the centre’s essential infrastructure. With an older building that constantly needs repairs and upgrades, the community association’s ability to offer programs and services has diminished. Energizing Spaces powered by ENMAX stepped in to provide them with new, high-efficiency appliances. Thanks to this grant funding, the centre saw reduced operating costs, boosted the centre’s rental potential, and is helping the community association revive vital community programming, including food programs.
The new fridge, freezer, microwave and clothes dryer represent more than just amenities; they are helping Monterey Park rebuild community spirit. These essential upgrades support religious gatherings, cultural celebrations and recreational activities, while allowing Monterey’s dedicated volunteers to focus on reengaging their community, and enhancing existing services.
Strengthening Community Involvement & Inclusion at ARF
Thanks Energizing Spaces powered by ENMAX, ARF was able to purchase a new industrial washer and dryer, which has had a meaningful impact on both their volunteers and community. For hygiene and comfort, the rescue requires daily laundering of bedding, towels, and cleaning cloths. Simply adding an industrial washer/dryer to their facility has allowed them to keep up with laundry, while also focusing on what matters most: the animals.
Before they received the industrial washer and dryer, their small household machines were constantly running, often breaking down, and still not able to keep up with the daily laundry load from dozens of animals. Volunteers would sometimes have to take laundry home to keep up, which was stressful and time-consuming. One volunteer said that they could spend hours waiting for loads to finish.
The upgraded machines have made the volunteers’ work more efficient, less physically demanding, and more rewarding. Volunteer now have more time to focus on caring for and socializing the animals rather than being overwhelmed by laundry.
Additionally, the new washer/dryer has opened opportunities for new partnerships. With reliable and efficient machines, we have more opportunities for individuals with disabilities to participate in the rescue, giving them a safe and accessible way to contribute, while helping them build skills and confidence.
In short, the industrial washer and dryer not only improved the daily care of the animals, but also strengthened community involvement and inclusion, creating a positive ripple effect far beyond their walls.
A Double Win for Safety and Food Security in Dover
Dover Community Association provides vital free programming to the neighbourhood, which requires buying and storing food in bulk. However, the use of their large chest freezer created a safety hazard for their dedicated volunteers, who constantly had to bend and reach deep to retrieve heavy boxes of supplies. This strain was a concern for the team’s occupational health and safety.
Thanks to the Energizing Spaces grant, Dover acquired a new, ergonomic upright freezer. This solved the problem immediately, ensuring the safety of their volunteers and the smooth, sustainable continuation of their essential social and recreational programs.
But the positive impact didn’t end there. Since the old chest freezer was still in good working condition, Dover donated the appliance to the Volunteer Market, which runs a free or pay-what-you-can grocery program every Friday.
By focusing on volunteer safety, Dover also supported a key partner program, ensuring that valuable infrastructure was redeployed to support food security in the surrounding communities.
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