Consolidated Maintenance Facility Improvements

Type of initiative FCM Green Municipal Fund - Capital Project
Sector Energy
Project value$66,361,581
Project Type Capital Project
Sub Sector Building – New – with Renewable energy
Grant amount$386,900
Program type GMF
Municipality City of Kitchener, ON
Loan amount$3,869,000
Status Fully Disbursed
Population 256,885
Project timeline 2010 - 2011
Project number 10306

Description

The City of Kitchener will construct a consolidated maintenance facility (CMF) on 45 acres of land that formerly housed the Uniroyal Goodrich tire-manufacturing plant. This facility, which will be designed to LEED Silver, will bring a number of municipal operations and services under one roof, improving operational efficiency and helping to address the growth in demand for city services while achieving significant cost savings through reduced energy use. The project embodies three priorities identified in the community strategic plan “A Plan for a Healthy Kitchener 2007–2027” — the environment, leadership and community engagement; and effective and efficient government.
With LEED components — including a geothermal heat recovery system, low-flow fixtures, expanded drainage, improved lighting, building system controls, and revenue-producing electrical generation by a solar roof and possibly a windmill — the CMF is estimated to achieve an energy cost savings of 45% over the Model National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings standard. Consolidation of operations at one site will add to the total savings, expected to reach $350,000 annually.
The services delivered from the CMF will support the City’s overall strategy, its People Plan, and its Plan for Healthy Communities by improving the facility itself, the work environment for employees, and service delivery to the community. The CMF project is the first in Kitchener to include a full risk assessment, including ownership and mitigation strategies. Documentation of all projects steps will provide a clear understanding of the factors involved and a foundation for future projects. After the facility is open, tours of the facility and direct peer-to-peer exchanges will be a further way to share knowledge.
(Project description from original funding application)

Project results

  • 211 tonnes of GHG emissions avoided
  • 10681 GJ of energy savings per year

Environmental outcomes

  • Reduced energy use
  • Renewable energy generation
  • Reduced or avoided GHG emissions
  • Reduced water consumption
  • Improved stormwater management

Social outcomes

  • Protection/improvement of public human health
  • Increased staff health and safety
  • Improved service delivery and/or level or service

Economic outcomes

  • Reduced maintenance costs
  • Innovative financing
  • Lower taxes and fees
  • Use of feasibility tools

Lessons learned

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

Applicant

City of Kitchener, ON