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Kwantlen News

For immediate release

November 21, 2008
 

Kwantlen receives prestigious environmental certification

(SURREY, B.C.) Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s Cloverdale Campus has been presented the prestigious Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Gold certification by the United States Green Building Council for its innovative sustainability features.

The $42.3-million, 17,203-sq. metre building is the largest LEED® Gold certified trades and technology training facility in North America. As Canada’s most advanced trades and technology training facility, the Kwantlen Cloverdale Campus accommodates up to 900 full-time students, and contains 21 shops and 27 classrooms/labs, with additional space dedicated to computer labs, student services, bookstore, cafeteria, study lounges and library.

“Kwantlen is a leader in sustainability in our operations and construction, and those values needed to be embraced in this project,” said Karen Hearn, Kwantlen director of facilities. “The team working together did an exceptional job at creating a great place to learn and work within while minimizing the building’s impact on the environment.”

While there are many LEED® projects under construction or going through the certification review process there are only 120 projects (as of October 20) in all of Canada that have received certification to date, including Kwantlen’s Cloverdale Campus being the 38th LEED® project in British Columbia. In the community of Surrey, Kwantlen is the first LEED® Gold project. Within Canadian post-secondary institutions, there are 13 other LEED® certified projects—Kwantlen’s being the 5th LEED® certified project in the university/college sector for B.C. The other four projects are at UBC and UVIC.

The LEED® certification is awarded to leading-edge buildings that incorporate environmentally sustainable design, construction, and operational features to reduce environmental impact. Being among the first within its sector and the first in its community to reach this level of accomplishment, the achievement of LEED® Gold for the Kwantlen Cloverdale Campus demonstrates its vision and leadership in environmental sustainability.

The Cloverdale Campus is truly a winner in energy performance. The placement and positioning of the building optimizes the energy performance of the campus by allowing more natural light to provide improved learning and working environments while saving on energy—90 per cent of the spaces have views to the outdoors. As well, Kwantlen has purchased “green power” certificates for the electricity that it will consume for the next two years. The amount purchased will ensure that 100 per cent of the electricity used will come from green sources such as wind, small hydro, and biomass. The campus itself has a photovoltaic array that generates five kilowatts of energy.

The campus also features some of the latest water-saving technologies (low-flow toilets, waterless urinals and sensor-controlled faucets), using about 45 per cent less water than a new building with standard systems and equipment. With more and more pressure put on our water resources, Kwantlen is doing its part to lead the way in saving water for later generations. Additionally, 87 per cent of the waste generated during construction was recycled, diverting it away from landfills.
Trades and applied training offers an exceptional opportunity for students to work within the growing industries of construction, manufacturing, mining, transportation and utilities, among others. For more information about Kwantlen’s trades and technology programs, visit kwantlen.ca/trades 

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For more information about Kwantlen’s LEED® Gold certification, contact:
Karen Hearn
Director, Facilities
Tel: 604.599.2442
karen.hearn@kwantlen.ca  

OR

For more information about Kwantlen, contact:
Peter Chevrier
Director, Marketing & Communications
Tel: 604.599.2286
peter.chevrier@kwantlen.ca

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