Released: 3:37 P.m.
Winnipeg, MB - Today, the City of Winnipeg announced that the Public Works Department’s East Yard Complex, officially opened in March 2014, recently achieved LEED Gold Certification recognizing design, construction and operation to a high standard of performance in environmental, economic and social sustainability.
Completed on time and on budget, the approximately 124,000 square foot East Yard Complex consists of five buildings including a field office, garage, shops, and storage facilities located on a former landfill site at 960 Thomas Avenue.
“The City is proud that we were able to reach LEED Gold Certification and raise the ‘green bar’ for our city-owned facilities,” said Councillor Justin Swandel, Chair of the Standing Policy Committee on Infrastructure Renewal and Public Works. “We have been moving forward on green building design in Winnipeg since implementing the City’s Green Building Policy, and the East Yard Complex is yet another example of the high standards we continue to achieve.”
Building project administrators submitted an application for Silver Certification under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system, and recently learned that the building had exceeded this grade and achieved Gold Certification. The Sturgeon Heights Community Centre, officially opened in April 2012, also holds LEED Gold Certification.
“This new facility has allowed us to be more efficient and effective in the delivery of services to citizens,” said City of Winnipeg Public Works Director Brad Sacher. “We’re proud to be working out of a facility that has been constructed to such high standards.”
The City’s Green Building policy, approved by Council in July, 2010 and implemented January 1, 2011, requires the Public Service to use green building rating systems in the development of buildings for its operations, to have reduced environmental impact.
“On behalf of all the members ofthe Manitoba Chapter of the Canada Green Building Council, I would like to congratulate the City of Winnipeg for achieving a LEED Gold certification for this project,” said Dawn Fraser, Manitoba Chapter Chairperson. “The leadership exhibited by going beyond the minimum standard in their own Green Building Policy is inspiring. Actions like this result in lower operating costs, a healthier building for staff and customers and a positive environmental impact."
The East Yard Complex houses the Streets Maintenance East Area, Parks & Open Space East Area, Parks & Open Space Centralized Services, and Bridge Operations. A new Fleet Management Agency facility is also located within the 50-acre site in order to provide more localized fleet maintenance services on the east side of the city. The facility includes space for 200 - 273 staff, depending on the season.
Moving several functions to the new complex allowed the City to vacate a number of properties which were beyond their useful life, and will save an estimated $15 million over the next 30 years. These savings are a result of reduced operating costs such as energy costs, service delivery efficiencies, and future tax revenues from development of vacated properties.
The mission of the Manitoba Chapter of the Canada Green Building Council is to be a leader in thegreen building community, to showcase local innovation and inspire our stakeholders to create life-enhancing built environments that are healthy places to live, work and play.