The Blair County Convention Center has wrapped up lighting improvements at $356,672, a cost expected to be offset by rebates and lower electric bills.

The effort initiated last year has provided the nearly 24-year-old facility with new lighting options that allow for managing individual lights and the dimming of lower level lights, according to Chief Executive Officer Tom Schilling and facilities manager Steve Despot.

The project, as reviewed Wednesday with the authority managing the convention center, also introduced the option of green lighting under the convention center’s canopy for Mac’s Irish Bash scholarship fundraiser held Saturday.

While the lighting project’s cost is expected to be offset by rebates for energy improvements, the value of the rebates has not yet been identified. The paperwork involved in applying for rebates required gathering more information, Schilling said.

As for the effect on the convention center’s electric bill, those familiar with LED lighting claim the bulbs last longer and use as much as 80% less energy than incandescent and halogen bulbs.

The authority approved the lighting project during a June meeting, when it voted to accept the price of $356,672 by George R. Smalley & Co. of Pittsburgh. The authority subsequently approved a loan with monthly payments of $6,354 through October 2031.

Schilling also told the authority on Wednesday that recent sound system upgrades on the lower level have been successful. Representatives of three companies were asked for recommendations and prices. In January, the authority authorized acceptance of the low bid of $11,200 from Lightner Electronics of Claysburg for additional speakers and a replacement amplifier.

Schilling told the authority Wednesday that because of the new speakers, the volume doesn’t have to be as loud and the sound system’s echo has been reduced.

The authority also reviewed financial reports for January and February, showing the convention center’s maintenance and repairs adding up to $27,542 — about $18,000 more than budgeted for those months.

Schilling attributed the expense to snow plowing and salting, elevator and escalator repairs and other building repairs.

Authority member Jamie VanBuren said those kinds of maintenance expenses are going to become common in light of the building’s age.

“This place looks brand new every time I walk in,” Van Buren said. “But there are always going to be things now that need to be replaced … and this is why we’ve known that we have to have some money in the bank.”

Despot also mentioned during his reports that in light of the convention center’s nearly 25-year-old boilers to heat the facility, he would begin looking into the cost associated with replacements.

Schilling also reported Wednesday that the carpeting cleaning in the ballroom and lobbies has been completed. In January, authority member Ron Beatty said he and his wife, Kathie, were willing to donate their company’s services and cover all costs.