News Release

East Dartmouth Community Centre Receives First HRM-Owned Building LEED Silver Certification

(May 4, 2011) - The East Dartmouth Community Centre has become Halifax Regional Municipality’s first officially certified LEED building, thanks to its use of geothermal heating and cooling; a green roof; 15 percent recycled building materials; low-emitting construction materials; and provisions for clients to use sustainable transportation.

Mayor Peter Kelly welcomed the LEED Silver designation Wednesday and applauded staff for establishing it as the minimum standard for new HRM facilities. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, a green rating system for the design of new buildings certified by the Canada Green Building Council.

“This landmark rating testifies to Regional Council’s commitment to reducing HRM’s carbon footprint,” Mayor Kelly said. “It also illustrates the importance which our community as a whole attaches to healthy green building practices and overall environmental sustainability.”

District 6 Councillor Darren Fisher points to the standards HRM sets through the development of projects like this.

“Not only is this building a welcome and important addition to our community, it is a shining example of HRM’s leadership role in building a more sustainable municipality,” he said.

HRM is one of a growing number of municipalities that require new buildings to meet minimum design standards; there are at least 47 buildings in HRM that are registered and/or certified with LEED Canada. There are only three other buildings within the Municipality that have received LEED Silver Certification: Sir John A. Macdonald High School; NSCC Waterfront Campus; and the Armour Group’s Park Place. Six other recently built, HRM-owned buildings are seeking certification.

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Contact:

Mayor Peter Kelly
490-4010