Construction of headquarters for Sorel-Tracy’s fire department
Type of initiative
FCM Green Municipal Fund - Capital Project
Sector
Energy
Project value$5,573,547
Project Type
Capital Project
Sub Sector
Building – New – Energy efficiency
Grant amount$351,978
Program type
GMF
Municipality
Ville de Sorel-Tracy, QC
Loan amount$3,519,778
Status
Fully Disbursed
Population
35,165
Project timeline
2011 - 2012
Project number
10343
Description
One of the first municipalities in Quebec to have adopted a local Agenda 21 with the objective of becoming the first green industrial community in the province and a hub for green industrial technology, the City of Sorel-Tracy decided to build its first new energy-efficient building: a new headquarters for its fire department. Built to LEED Silver certification criteria, this structure’s energy performance was to be 45% higher than the standards in the MNECB and include a garage, a firefighters’ living area and administrative offices. The building’s projected annual energy consumption was lowered by 36,817 m3 of natural gas and 96,673 kWh of electricity, saving the City close to $33,000 annually on energy and bringing it closer to its objective of ending CO2 increases. Among the energy efficiency measures were the Canadian tunnel to provide natural ventilation for the garage, the building’s orientation to take advantage of passive solar energy and provide natural lighting for occupants, and a solar wall to recover heat and channel it to the heating and ventilation system. Low-consumption plumbing appliances were also included, local and recycled materials used, native species planted, and site runoff was reduced. Beyond the building’s functional considerations, a special focus was its integration with a former community green space and connection to the Sorel-Tracy bicycle path network. The project was original because, in addition to being energy-efficient, the building would reflect the regional strategy for public buildings.
(Project description from original funding application)
Project results
- 43 tonnes of GHG emissions avoided
- 1047 GJ of energy savings per year
Environmental outcomes
- Reduced energy use
- Renewable energy generation
- Reduced or avoided GHG emissions
- Reduced water consumption
- Promotion of eco-friendly transportation
- Use of sustainable practices
- Minimal environmental impact
- Decreased heat island effect
- Improved indoor air quality
- Reduced light pollution
- Reduced noise pollution
Social outcomes
- Increased public safety and security
- Increased staff health and safety
- Improved service delivery and/or level or service
- Heritage conservation
- Community revitalization
Economic outcomes
- Reduced maintenance costs
- New or improved revenue streams
- Innovative financing
- Increased tourism
- Local spending/consumption
- Partnership development
Lessons learned
- Stakeholder and community engagement
- Communication & coordination
- Resources
Applicant
Ville de Sorel-Tracy, QC