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Town of The Blue Mountains New Town Hall

Type of initiative FCM Green Municipal Fund - Capital Project
Sector Energy
Project value$9,088,000
Project Type Capital Project
Sub Sector Building – New – with Renewable energy
Grant amount$330,000
Program type GMF
Municipality Town of The Blue Mountains, ON
Loan amount$3,300,000
Status Fully Disbursed
Population 9,390
Project timeline 2009 - 2011
Project number 10325

Description

The Town of The Blue Mountains will surpass the LEED Silver minimum criterion set for its municipal buildings and construct a two-story LEED Gold town hall on a remediated brownfield site, formerly an automobile service station, preserving valuable greenfield land. The purpose of the project is to revitalize the community of Thornbury and demonstrate sustainable development, energy efficiency and land stewardship. The project aligns closely with the town’s community improvement plan as it relates to enhanced streetscapes, redevelopment of brownfield sites, community revitalization, active transportation and intensification.
Energy-efficiency measures will include a lower window-to-wall ratio; triple-glazed windows with fibreglass frames; increased roof assembly insulation; increased exterior wall insulation; efficient lighting and ballasts; occupancy sensors and increased daylighting; an energy-recovery wheel; and a ground-source heat pump. Small domestic hot water heaters will be positioned where hot water is required, to reduce stand-by losses and pump power. A focus of the building design has been the analysis and minimization of life cycle costs to the fullest extent possible. These measures are expected to reduce the building’s energy consumption by 62 per cent compared to the same facility built to the standards of the Model National Energy Code for Buildings (MNECB).
There has been extensive public consultation leading to this project, including a one-day design charrette, displays of developed site and Town Hall design posted on the Town's website and in public display areas, as well as presentations to the community. The overall concept for the site includes the development of a recreational park and public gathering space. Tours and presentations of the building and site related to energy conservation and the impacts of contaminants are planned. Lessons learned from the project will be shared with municipal partners through peer-to-peer exchanges, tours, presentations, circulars and a final report.
(Project description from original funding application)

Project results

Environmental outcomes

  • Reduced energy use
  • Reduced or avoided GHG emissions
  • Reduced water consumption
  • Brownfield restoration
  • Use of sustainable practices
  • Biodiversity and ecosystem protection

Social outcomes

  • Protection/improvement of public human health
  • Increased staff health and safety
  • Increased opportunities for physical activity
  • Increased opportunities for recreational activities
  • Greater civic pride and ownership
  • Increased opportunities for community engagement
  • Community revitalization
  • Development of local programs

Economic outcomes

  • Reduced maintenance costs
  • Lower taxes and fees
  • Increased business attraction
  • Use of feasibility tools

Lessons learned

  • Stakeholder and community engagement
  • Council support/buy-in
  • Communication & coordination
  • Data and reporting
  • Resources

Applicant

Town of The Blue Mountains, ON