VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA – The International Media Centre at Robson Square was recently the host venue for the Canada Green Building Council’s (CaGBC) awards ceremony. The ceremony and press conference highlighted the achievements of the green builders and innovators in reaching for LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) status for more than 31 Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic venues.
In partnership with BC Hydro, CaGBC honored the Province of British Columbia, VANOC, the cities of Vancouver and Richmond, as well as the resort municipality of Whistler for their global leadership in sustainability.
“By committing to building venues and Athletes’ villages to the LEED Canada Green Building Rating System, the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games have created an environmental legacy which will benefit British Columbians and Canadians for years to come,” says Thomas Mueller, CaGBC president and CEO. “From a buildings’ perspective, these are the greenest Olympics ever.”
“Through participation in BC Hydro’s Power Smart programs, VANOC and its partners have dramatically improved energy efficiency and performance of 2010 Winter Games venues,” says Bev Van Ruyven, acting president and CEO, BC Hydro. “The conservation measures implemented at a number of these venues are expected to save more than 18 gigawatt hours of electricity annually—enough to power more than 1,600 homes for an entire year.”
New facilities like the Richmond Olympic Oval are demonstrating savings of 878,000 kilowatt (kWh) or 15 percent and most impressively the Vancouver Olympic Village is designed for a reduction in energy use by 53 percent or savings of 11,500,000 kWh.
“These facilities not only made improvements in energy performance but a range of environmental measures, including water efficiency, healthy materials and better indoor air quality. They demonstrate the growing commitment and expertise in Canada to constructing environmentally responsible buildings,” adds Mueller.
About the CaGBC
The CaGBC is a leading national industry organization advancing green building practices for livable communities. It represents more than 2,300 member organizations involved in the design, construction and operation of buildings. The Council owns the Canadian license for LEED and implements the LEED® Green Building Rating System in Canada. For more information on the CaGBC visit www.cagbc.org. For information on the third annual CaGBC national green building conference, visit the conference section the Web site.
About BC Hydro
BC Hydro is one of Canada’s largest electric utilities and one of North America’s leading providers of clean, renewable energy. BC Hydro serves 1.8 million customers, covering 95 percent of the province of British Columbia.
For more information, contact Stella Baise, coordinator, communications and marketing, Canada Green Building Council: (604) 282‐7791 or [email protected].
