New Corner Brook long-term care facility to be province�s first �Green Building�

The future long-term care facility for Corner Brook will become the province�s first Green Building initiative. Government today announced a $1.4 million investment for design elements to make the new facility environmentally friendly and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, a component of the province�s Climate Change Action Plan.

Premier Danny Williams, MHA for Humber West, said it is appropriate that the new long-term care facility, a facility that will house the most up-to-date technology and equipment for resident care services, is also environmentally friendly. �This new facility demonstrates our continued commitment to enhancing long-term care services for seniors in the province,� said the Premier. �I am pleased to join with my colleagues in announcing that the new building will also focus on caring for our environment. Given our government�s commitment to designating this region as a centre for environmental excellence, it is very fitting that the facility will have important environmental considerations incorporated into its design. I commend all those involved for ensuring that this facility is a leader in both care for our seniors and the environment.�

The advanced design components for the new facility include improved energy efficiency in the building structure and energy systems along with the installation of a ground-source earth energy system and an advanced sewage treatment system. A ground-source earth energy system extracts heat from the earth in a manner not unlike the way a refrigerator works to remove heat from food. Such systems can provide as much as five kilowatts of heat for every one kilowatt of electricity used to run the system. Using this type of system will reduce energy costs for the new facility by up to 65 per cent as well as reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

�I am very pleased that the new Corner Brook long-term care facility will incorporate an innovative, efficient energy system and be a model of environmental sustainability. It demonstrates that it is possible for government to be environmentally responsible while also reducing operational costs,� said Tom Osborne, Minister of Environment and Conservation. �Using this type of heating system is also evidence that government is committed to taking the necessary actions to address climate change, as outlined in our provincial action plan.�

With this type of heating system and other improvements, the new facility will meet LEED, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, guidelines and be eligible for LEED certification, which would designate the Corner Brook long-term care facility as a Green Building. LEED certification is granted to buildings which aim to have higher performance standards in environmental responsibility and energy efficiency.

�As we move forward with creating a centre of environmental excellence in Corner Brook, it seems only fitting that the long-term care facility for the region utilize the latest environmental and energy efficiency technologies and becomes a model of environmental design for all future public buildings,� said Tom Marshall, MHA for Humber East. �I am very pleased that the western region of our province is a leader in environmental technology.�

�It is in all of our best interests to ensure, as we move forward with new construction and facilities, that our operations are as environmentally responsible as possible,� said Transportation and Works Minister Trevor Taylor. �This facility provides us with a new approach for designing buildings in the future.�

The provincial government is also in discussions with Environment Canada on the energy efficiency components of this project and it is anticipated that a portion of the incremental costs will be covered under the Federal/Provincial Partnership Fund for Climate Change. Government invested $2.7 million in Budget 2005 for the site preparation and design of a new long-term care facility in Corner Brook. The facility is expected to be completed in September 2008.

Media contact:

Elizabeth Matthews, Office of the Premier, (709) 729-3960, 690-5500, elizabethmatthews@gov.nl.ca

Diane Keough, Environment and Conservation, (709) 729-2575, 685-4401

Tracy Barron, Transportation and Works, (709) 729-3015, 691-3577

2005 12 13                 9:50 p.m.