Kids First Sports Center Invests with PACE

Kids First Sports Center sports complex PACE financing.

About the Energy Project

Kids First Sports Center, located in Sycamore Township, is the first property in the State of Ohio to have a Solar PV improvement funded with PACE financing. Built in 1998, Kids First is an 108,000-square foot multi-use facility with gymnastics, cheer, basketball, and swimming areas. As the facility was expanded and daily traffic increased over the past decade, ownership sought to keep operating costs down while improving the guest experience. The lead contractor, National Energy Control, proposed additional electric-generating solar panels and replacing all lighting to LED. The combination of local utility rebates, federal incentives, and PACE financing made the decision a “no brainer” for the Kids First ownership.

According to Kids First owner Jeff Metzger, “With PACE financing through the OHIO PACE program, we were able to fund energy-saving improvements such as LED lighting and wall insulation plus add an additional 150 KW of solar power with no down payment or personal guarantees required. In addition, building light levels have dramatically improved which increases our customer’s experience while our lighting maintenance will be virtually eliminated.”

“Kids First, Sycamore Township, National Energy Control, Bricker & Eckler and Greenworks Lending were a pleasure to work with on this ground-breaking energy project,” said Chris Jones of OHIO PACE. “With PACE special assessment financing, Kids First was able to fund all of the improvements while the repayment was simply added to the property’s existing tax bill.”

At A Glance

Energy Project Financing

  • PROJECT TOTAL: $656,000
  • TERM: 23 years

Energy Project Partners

  • PACE DISTRICT: Sycamore Township
  • PACE LENDER: Greenworks Lending
  • CONTRACTORS: National Energy Control, Priority One Insulation

Improvements:

  • SOLAR PV – 150 KW
  • LED LIGHTING
  • WALL INSULATION

Why PACE Financing?

No Down Payment + No Personal Guarantee + Off Balance Sheet Treatment

= Preserved Credit Lines & Freed Up Capital Budgets