HomeMy WebLinkAboutEnv 2009-09-17 - Media Release - Activa Sportsplex Achieves LEED GoldActiva Sportsplex achieves prestigious LEED Gold environmental certification
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
KITCHENER -The City of Kitchener's Activa Sportsplex facility has achieved one of the
country's most prestigious environmental certifications - LEED Gold certification for
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) from the Canada Green
Building Council.
LEED certification is North America's most recognized and accepted standard for
rating the energy efficiency and environmental-friendliness of the design,
construction, operation and sustainability of buildings.
''We're very proud of this achievement,'' said Mayor Carl Zehr. ''More than just an
outstanding athletic complex that serves the diverse recreational needs of our
residents, we have a facility that meets some of the highest environmental standards
in the country. This is so important because as we build and operate new facilities, we
must also ensure that they are good for our environment.''
''This certification was a very ambitious goal but one that is well worth the effort,''
added Councillor Geoff Lorentz who also chairs the city's community services
committee. ''Responsible stewardship of our environment - like having enough
recreational amenities to serve the needs of everyone - is key to the quality of life we
all enjoy in Kitchener. This facility represents the best of both of those worlds.''
With this certification, the Activa Sportsplex - home to twin ice pads, a walking track,
community rooms and both the Kitchener Minor Hockey Association and the Waterloo
Regional Boxing Academy - is now one of the only LEED Gold certified athletic
complexes in the country.
The facility earned the LEED Gold certification standard through the inclusion of such
environmentally-friendly and energy efficient features as:
A green roof;
A heat recovery system that reuses the heat from the ice refrigeration system
to provide heat to other areas of the complex;
A rain collection system that reuses water collected from the roof for use in
toilets;
The latest, most energy efficient lighting technology;
Recycled rubber flooring and recycled plastic benches;
Use of light colours and natural or daylighting to allow for a reduction in
electrical requirements for lighting; and,
Landscaping that includes drought-tolerant materials, native plant species and
low maintenance grass.
The energy efficiency components of the facility save the City of Kitchener an
estimated $179,000 annually in energy costs and reduce its 'green house gas'
emissions by more than 700 tonnes of CO2 equivalent per year which has a direct
impact on the environment.
The Activa Sportsplex, located on Lennox Lewis Way near Homer Watson Boulevard
and Ottawa Street, is the first building in the city to be certified LEED Gold since
Kitchener city council became one of the first municipal governments in Canada,
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in 2008, to approve the pursuit of LEED Gold certification for all new city facilities
exceeding 5,300 square feet.
LEED certification is also being pursued for other city-owned facilities, including the
city's new consolidated maintenance facility, the Kingsdale Community Centre, and
the Main Branch Library Expansion/Parking Garage located on Queen Street in
Kitchener. Additionally, Firehall No. 7, which opened in 2008 to serve the south end
of the city, was built to a LEED Silver standard.
Background:
In 2008, the City of Kitchener joined an elite group of Canadian cities in setting
higher environmental standards for future municipal buildings by adopting a
minimum LEED Gold standard for their construction. Adopting this minimum
standard is one of the quickest and most cost effective ways for the city to address
climate change and reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.
In addition to the LEED policy for new buildings, similar sustainable design and
construction standards for renovation and retrofit projects in existing city facilities
are also implemented on a case-by-case basis. Additionally, all new city facilities are
targeted for a minimum of 30 per cent reduction in energy usage as compared to
the Model National Energy Code for Buildings (MNECB) standard.
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