The Jasper Fitness and Aquatic Centre has finally been granted LEED certification, nearly five years after its completion.
The building received 35 out of a possible 70 points, giving it a silver rating on the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Canada Rating System.
The system, which is promoted by the Canada Green Building Council, aims to encourage the development of more sustainable buildings. The Jasper Community Sustainability Plan states that all new buildings built in the municipality must meet LEED standards.
The fitness centre scored highly in the categories of water efficiency (four out of five points), indoor environmental quality (11 out of 15 points) and innovation and design process (four out of five points); it scored low in materials and resources (four out of 14 points) and energy and atmosphere (six out of 17 points).
According to Yvonne McNabb, the municipality’s culture and recreation director, some of the green highlights of the building include the 60 bike racks out front, light pollution reduction, low-emitting materials, the green roof and its optimized energy performance.
She also pointed out that 58.3 per cent of the project’s construction waste was diverted from the landfill.
In a small ceremony unveiling the LEED plaque at the centre Feb. 24, Mayor Richard Ireland said the certification represents the municipality’s goal of “achieving the best possible industry standard.”
“Obtaining certification—which is objective, third party confirmation that we’ve achieved our goal—provides not only a really long-awaited opportunity to expel a huge sigh of relief, it’s an opportunity to congratulate and commend the dedication, the handiwork and the tenaciousness that went into getting us to that point,” he said.
The certification comes nearly five years after the project’s completion, and Ireland said it’s the result of work put in by former municipal and project managers George Krefting and Christopher Read.
“It’s not just about the design, the LEED certification also includes the operation of the building, and that’s one of the things that takes time to get the certification,” he said, acknowledging the centre’s manager Natasha Malenchak.
Ireland also pointed out that the paperwork involved in getting the certification is complex and time-consuming, and it was McNabb who waded through it all.
“It has been a most substantial job, she’s got us to this point, and here we are to celebrate because of her,” he said.
Trevor Nichols
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