Albion Community Centre Step 4 Feasibility Pathways

The City of Maple Ridge will conduct a study to determine various net-zero pathways for constructing the new Albion Community Centre to meet Step 4 performance targets for Part 3 buildings, as defined in the BC Energy Step Code (“Step Code”). Options will be compared to Passive House and LEED Gold certification based on technical and financial feasibility. If successful, this will be the first community centre in the province to meet Step 4 criteria. The City of Maple Ridge will target pathways that achieve 70-90% energy reductions through efficient design with renewable energy production used to offset net demand. The environmental impact of each pathway will be evaluated based on indicators including CO2 production, energy consumption, on-site renewable energy production, mechanical energy intensity, total energy intensity, thermal energy demand intensity, and air exchange rates. In addition, the Albion Community Centre will be developed through the preservation of the site’s natural features which is intended to reduce the heat island effect and maintain stormwater retention. Constructing the Centre to net-zero will decrease operating costs, provide a safe and comfortable space for public activities, and enable adaptability to climate change. The Albion Community Centre will be located in one of the fastest growing and currently under-served parts of the community. It will be constructed alongside a new elementary school which will allow for shared services and integrated programming. Robust community engagement began in early 2016 and the City of Maple Ridge will continue to provide opportunities for public feedback throughout the feasibility study period. The City established an internal multi-disciplinary team early in the development process to identify barriers and opportunities for cross-departmental efficiently. The team will remain active throughout the project’s implementation. This initiative is an example of the City of Maple Ridge’s commitment to exploring opportunities to incorporate beyond business as usual sustainability standards in the development of new community amenities. It is in line with the City’s GHG reduction goals and may serve as a demonstration project to guide the development of up-to-date minimum performance targets for municipal facilities. Although specific to the province of British Columbia, the Step Code’s non-prescriptive framework should generate innovative solutions to common problems that could be replicable nationwide. (Project description from original funding application)