Rob Collison is the manager of facilities and transportation for BC School District 46 (Sunshine Coast).
Photo credits: KMBR Architects Planners and Ed White Photographic.
A British Columbia school district took the extra steps to build a LEED Gold Certified building – a process that had its challenges.
In the end, the extra steps have been worth the challenge for School District 46 (Sunshine Coast), according to the district’s facilities and transportation manager, Rob Collison.
As a public-sector organization, British Columbia schools are required to construct new facilities that are energy efficient. To meet carbon neutral and energy efficiency goals, Collison said it “only makes sense to build facilities to LEED Gold standards.”
Photo credit: KMBR Architects Planners and Ed White Photographic
The facility, Gibsons Elementary, was completely rebuilt after a feasibility plan determined the original building (which was built in 1950) has both seismic and system deficiencies. In addition, the original facility was too large for the current student enrolment.
Built to LEED Gold standards, the new building is smaller and significantly more energy efficient.
Collison said the building is well lit with natural light and feels “very comfortable and noticeably well ventilated and fresh when you walk in.”
It is no more difficult to maintain and operate compared to any other school in his district.
With so many standards to meet, LEED Gold had its challenges.
“There is lots of criteria that has to be met,” said Collison, who has been working in the Sunshine Coast district for six years.
“Sometimes it’s things that don’t seem to be very important, like the amount of parking spots and bus stops near the school. Every point counts when you are trying to get that high of certification.”
Gibsons Elementary
LEED Gold certified
4,300 m2, two-storey facility
Wood-first construction
Construction started April 2013
Construction finished September 2014
Although there are lots of standards to meet, it is often a bunch of little things on the checklist that get you there instead of a single major item.
“It takes a little bit more thought, but that doesn’t mean it is any more difficult. It takes more planning and careful choosing of new products.”
The benefit of building a LEED Gold school did not just remain in Gibsons – positive changes have spread throughout the district.
LEED Gold requires green cleaning products to be used by custodial staff. When looking into sourcing the green supplies for Gibsons Elementary, it was determined that the same cleaners can be used in every school in the district.
“We found it was an easy transition to take the entire district over to green cleaning products.”