NEWPORT — The Big Blue Bike Barn received solar-powered electricity last week through a collaborative effort involving six local organizations, expanding programming capabilities at the community campus managed by Bike Newport.
The solar power system was funded by The Newport Health Equity Zone, International Tennis Hall of Fame, 11th Hour Racing, A1 Roofing and Construction, Beacon Solar, and AQ Tech. Community members gathered July 29 to celebrate the project’s completion.
The electricity enables lights, cooling fans, computers, internet access and charging stations in shipping containers used for Bike Newport’s Summer Bike Camps and year-round education programs. Outdoor lighting will allow evening programming and community gatherings.
“This project is a community accomplishment,” said Bari Freeman, Bike Newport’s executive director. “We want this community resource to be a model for creating more community spaces.”
The Big Blue Bike Barn, conceived in 2017, sits on land provided by the Newport Housing Authority with support from the City of Newport. The campus features a half-acre pump track, bike library, sheltered program area and trails connecting to Miantonomi Park. Aquidneck Community manages a food and pollinator garden on the property.
Sydney Ormerod, director of prevention for the Women’s Resource Center and Newport Health Equity Zone, said the solar project aligned with the organization’s focus on increasing green spaces, which studies show can decrease intimate partner violence.
Luke Ahearn of the International Tennis Hall of Fame said the project offered an opportunity to offset carbon emissions within the local community while supporting an organization with shared educational values.
Bike Newport brought city water to the facility in 2023.
