The City of Cottage Grove has committed to regional and city-specific environmental improvements, sustainability efforts and resource conservation. But there’s always the need to make the improvements cost-effective.

Recently Public Works and Development Director Faye Stewart saw an opportunity to do both. With the help of Energy Trust, Stewart coupled much-needed repairs to Cottage Grove Community Center with energy-saving upgrades that helped with material costs.

The Cottage Grove Community Center serves as a library six days a week, and multiple community organizations, including Senior Disabled Services, use the center for office space. It hosts a variety of daily activities, and it houses Café 60—a senior meals program that provides group dining.

Several years ago, the roof started leaking. Stewart said the staff had to make repairs at least once a month for years.

“Before we could find a way to fund the roofing project, we spent several thousands of dollars making large patches to the roof to get us through the last two years,” said Stewart.

Stewart contacted Energy Trust for ways to incorporate energy efficiency into the roof repair. Through limited-time increased incentives offered in partnership with NW Natural, the City of Cottage Grove received $47,300 for 23,700 square feet of high-efficiency insulation. The new insulation is estimated to further save the city $3,900 on annual utility costs and improve indoor comfort.