LEED(R) Canada Platinum convention centre to host CaGBC National Conference
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VANCOUVER, April 29 /CNW Telbec/ - CaGBC President and CEO Thomas Mueller was on hand Friday to acknowledge the achievement of LEED(R) Platinum by the Vancouver Convention Centre Expansion facility. This unique facility will host the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) National Conference in June of this year.

Holding the distinction as the greenest convention facility in the world, this venue is a spectacular addition to the city of Vancouver. The building and design team surpassed their extremely ambitious sustainability objectives in achieving a rating of LEED Platinum certification. Green features of the VCC expansion facility include an extraordinary 5-acre living roof landscaped with more than 400,000 indigenous plants and grasses structured in layers. The roof system acts as an insulator reducing heat gains in summer and heat losses in winter, as well as contributing to the building's stormwater management. An in-house waste water recycling system significantly increases the building's water efficiency by reusing water for toilet flushing and other non-potable uses.

"LEED was just an idea 10 years ago when it first came to Canada. Today, the industry has embraced LEED on a massive scale, with over 200 million sq. ft. of projects in Canada," commented Mr. Mueller during the LEED plaque ceremony. "This building is a demonstration of the tremendous momentum and acceptance of creating sustainable buildings. With the growing realization that buildings are responsible for 35% of greenhouse gas emissions in Canada and other environmental impacts, green building construction and operation is imperative for a sustainable future."

The CaGBC National Conference scheduled June 8-10 at the Convention Centre will focus on the theme "Performance Matters: The next generation of buildings and communities". The program features over 60 speakers and panelists and will offer tours of green buildings in Vancouver including a behind the scenes look at the VCC marine habitat, green roof and the on-site black water treatment and desalinization systems that are projected to reduce potable water use 60-70% over typical convention centers.

About the CaGBC

The CaGBC is the leading national industry organization advancing green building practices for livable communities. It represents more than 2,300 member organizations involved in the design, construction and operation of buildings. The Council has the Canadian license for LEED and implements the LEED(R) Green Building Rating System in Canada. For more information on the CaGBC visit www.cagbc.org. For information on the 3rd annual CaGBC national green building conference, visit the conference section of our website.

For further information: Stella Baise, Coordinator, Communications & Marketing, Canada Green Building Council, [phone], [email protected]