The brand-new LSCU Complex is clean, bright and airy, but those using the recreation centre might not realize that it’s also Power Smart.
At the centre’s grand opening on Feb. 8, Manitoba Hydro’s Brian Rempel gave La Salle Community Centre board president James Pollard a plaque recognizing the building as meeting Manitoba Hydro’s Power Smart criteria for new buildings.
"The building itself is given the Power Smart designation," said Cory Young, Manitoba Hydro’s new buildings program co-ordinator.
The LSCU Complex was designed to save at least one-third of the average energy costs of a similar building constructed using standard building code materials. Young explained that energy modelling is used to compare the two buildings.
The LSCU Complex includes the following energy efficient features: high levels of roof, wall and floor insulation; a heat recovery ventilation system; a high efficiency condensing hot water heater; fluorescent light fixtures and occupancy controls that adjust lighting to match demand; and low-flow plumbing fixtures.
With these features, Manitoba Hydro estimates that an average of $2,400 can be saved on the 18,000-square-foot building’s annual heating, cooling and lighting bill.
According to Manitoba Hydro’s information, the positive environmental impact is said to be equivalent to taking 12 cars off the road for a year.
Manitoba Hydro staff can provide advice during a new building’s design and construction phases. Young said they work with architects and engineering companies to
increase the number of program participants.
As an incentive, and to help cover the cost of the energy efficient building materials, Manitoba Hydro pays $1 per square foot, so the LSCU Complex received $18,000, Young said.
He said the New Buildings program started in 2009, and other communities have taken advantage of it with the new recreation centre in Ile des Chenes and Winnipeg’s Sturgeon Heights Community Centre also receiving the Power Smart designation.
While many of the Power Smart buildings tend to be public structures such as recreation centres and schools, private companies can participate if they are occupying the building they construct.
For more information, see www.hydro.mb.ca/your_business/new_building/