Waterloo North Hydro is doing something right.
When it decided to build its new administrative home according to LEED silver standards, it made a significant statement — conservation of energy is important.
LEED (or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) focuses on two aspects of environmental design — building new buildings to ensure environmental efficiency, while also using “found” materials from buildings that existed on the property prior to building.
Waterloo North Hydro has chosen to create a building, with the help of Melloul Blamey as general contractors, that will use geothermal heating, taking advantage of the natural warming and cooling trends of the earth. It will also use recovered barn boards to create furniture for a future boardroom, ensuring that the wood does not go to waste.
The building will have windows that open — something that was frowned upon during the 80s and 90s, but is actually part of LEED standards. Employees will also benefit from natural lighting, regardless of where their office is located.
Eventually, walking trails will be created for employees to enjoy over their lunch breaks, featuring the spectacular view of the Conestogo River valley from the Country Squire Road location.
All of this will cost more money than a standard building, but it is well worth it.
As Waterloo North Hydro president Rene Gatien put it, at last week’s groundbreaking, “If we’re saying we’re leaders in environmental excellence, we have to build a LEED building.”
How true. The Ontario government has been pushing conservation in recent years, including the installation of smart meters throughout the province, so consumers can see the fluctuations in price according to peak consumption periods.
And, with the Green Energy Act, the province has indicated just how important these new, renewable forms of energy are going to be, in the years and decades to come.
For Waterloo North Hydro to build anything but an energy-efficient building that makes use of renewable forms of energy would be irresponsible, and they know it.
We are thankful that those who have an eye to the future were part of the decision to build this new headquarters for Waterloo North Hydro, not those who are interested in saving a few dollars now, regardless of the long-term cost.