Peterborough Facility is an Environmental Leader

CANADA'S FIRST EXISTING GOVERNMENT BUILDING TO BE CONVERTED TO LEED PLATINUM  

PETERBOROUGH, ON, Feb. 5, 2015 /CNW/ - Infrastructure Ontario (IO) is pleased to announce that the Ontario Government Building at 300 Water Street in Peterborough has been officially designated as LEED EBOM Platinum by the Green Building Council of Canada.  LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, and EBOM refers to its designation in the category of Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance. 

Known locally as "Robinson Place", the seven-storey provincial facility is located in the heart of Peterborough's downtown, and accommodates more than 1000 government employees, representing seven ministries.  It's the provincial headquarters for the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.  The facility has the distinction of being one of 12 existing buildings in Canada to achieve the LEED EBOM Platinum designation, and the first government building in the country to reach that status. 

The decision to pursue LEED Platinum was made several years ago by Infrastructure Ontario, which manages the facility on behalf of the government.  The building is fully metered, uses rainwater to its advantage and has sophisticated new energy efficient chillers to provide optimum performance during the cooling season.  The building automation system was upgraded to meet LEED standards for efficiency and client comfort.  Robinson Place also has numerous policies that offer a green approach to building management.  It has been a team effort that included tremendous contributions from the ministries in terms of participation in strong recycling programs, an environmental approach to procurement of materials and development of a community garden above a parking structure on site. 

Quotes:

Bert Clark, President and CEO, Infrastructure Ontario
"The LEED Platinum designation is rare, even in new construction, so this conversion is something Peterborough can be very proud of.  IO began this process several years ago in cooperation with our ministry partners and service providers.  We're excited to see everyone's hard work recognized for an initiative that will have benefits for many years to come."    

Jeff Leal, Peterborough MPP and Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
"I'm proud of the role that local provincial government employees have played in sustainably growing fresh fruits and vegetables at Robinson Place to donate to local organizations.  It's tremendous that such a significant building in Peterborough is now the government's first LEED Platinum existing facility."    

Thomas Mueller, President and CEO, Canada Green Building Council
"Buildings have a tremendous environmental impact.  This landmark facility is in an elite group of a dozen existing buildings to be converted to LEED Platinum in Canada.  CaGBC applauds the leadership of the Province of Ontario in being one of the first governments in Canada to increase the performance of an existing building under the LEED for Existing Buildings program."

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Backgrounder

INFRASTRUCTURE ONTARIO'S GREEN CONTRIBUTIONS IN PETERBOROUGH

The Ontario Government Building at 300 Water Street in Peterborough is one of more than 5,000 facilities managed by Infrastructure Ontario (IO) on behalf of the government.  IO takes a leadership role in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in each of its buildings to reduce the government's carbon footprint and create a cleaner, greener future for our province.

LEED PLATINUM HIGHLIGHTS AT 300 WATER STREET

• Due to its original 1990's architecture, the facility offers plenty of natural light to reduce the requirement for electricity. 
• The building is fully metered and connected to a modern Building Automation System.  The system was upgraded to meet LEED standards for energy efficiency.  This also ensures optimal operating efficiency and tenant comfort.  Facility management is immediately notified of any unusual spikes in consumption of gas, water or electricity. 
• Sophisticated and energy efficient chillers were added in the building, which provide enhanced performance during the cooling season
• The building has a rainwater collection system, allowing natural water to be used in washrooms. 
• According to 2013 figures, 37% less water is consumed than the average public sector building.
• MNRF is ensuring an environmental approach to procurement by focusing on low VOC (volatile organic compounds) materials
• Ministry employees manage a rooftop community garden, which has provided organic vegetables to local organizations like the Youth Emergency Shelter and Brock Mission.
• IO has implemented a building-specific non-smoking policy
• Policies are in place to ensure a green approach to cleaning, landscaping and pest management

INFRASTRUCTURE ONTARIO'S IMPACT IN PETERBROUGH

In addition to the LEED Platinum achievement at 300 Water Street, IO was proud to be the lender for the Lily Lakes Solar Farm project, which generates 10 MW of sustainable energy annually.  IO partnered with another environmentally-minded organization, Peterborough Utilities Inc., in 2011.  The project was powered by a low-interest loan from Infrastructure Ontario. 

Using IO's made-in-Ontario Alternative Financing and Procurement (AFP) model, construction was completed in 2012 on a new OPP Forensic Identification Unit in Peterborough.  The 13,500 square foot facility is helping to enhance community safety in the Counties of Peterborough, Northumberland, Haliburton Highlands and Kawartha Lakes.   More recently, IO oversaw development of the new Kawartha Lakes OPP detachment in Lindsay.

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SOURCE Infrastructure Ontario

Jeff Giffen, Infrastructure Ontario, [phone]