Framingham renewable energy firm to improve Alaska cross-country skiing center

A large windowed building sits behind two grass plots with pink, red, and white flowers in the foreground

Photo | Courtesy of Kelleher & Sadowsky Associates, Inc. Headquarters of renewable energy firm Ameresco at 111 Speen St. in Framingham

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By Kevin Koczwara

Ameresco, Inc. of Framingham has partnered with Alaska Pacific University to design and upgrade infrastructure at the university's Thomas Training Center on Eagle Glacier, which houses the school’s Nordic Ski Center for Winter Olympic athletes and world championship cross-country skiing athletes.

Construction is expected to be completed in October.

Ameresco will work alongside Olgoonik Construction Services, LLC, an Alaska-based Native corporation, according to a Wednesday press release, to install a new boiler, baseboard heaters, convection heaters, water heaters and retrofit the facilities’ existing 750-gallon water tank with a new 500-gallon water tank. The upgrades should help reduce Thomas Nordic Training Center’s energy consumption. Ameresco’s work will be done during the summer and fall.

"The Thomas Training Center on Eagle Glacier continues to be one of the top athletic training facilities for cross country skiers in the United States," Erik Flora, Alaska Pacific University Nordic Ski Center Director and head coach, said in the press release. "We are thrilled to see the cost savings that the facility improvements will deliver. Our hope is to continue to create an exceptional and comfortable experience for all of our athletes and staff while reducing our energy consumption."

The Thomas Training Center was built in 1987 and is operated by APU Nordic Ski Center. It is located on a glacier mountaintop south of Anchorage and 5,500 feet above sea level and looks down on the city of Girdwood. The center will house 16 residents, including athletes and coaches.

"We are so honored to help lead the design and development of such a unique project for Alaska Pacific University’s Thomas Nordic Training Center," Nicole Bulgarino, executive vice president and general manager at Ameresco, said in a press release. "The unique location, combined with the necessary infrastructure specifications, provide the opportunity for advanced project designs. We plan to provide our partners with a comprehensive center that will allow world-class athletes to perform at an elite level in a comfortable and energy efficient environment."