New healthcare complex going green
By going green, the new healthcare complex under construction in St. Catharines will be a healthy environment – literally.
The project team responsible for the planning and design of the complex recently registered the building for LEED certification. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is an internationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of highperformance green buildings and homes.
“Generally, green buildings consume fewer resources, generate less waste and provide healthier living and working environments than traditional buildings,” says Niagara Health Chief Planning and Development Officer Gloria Kain. “It is the right thing to do for the environment and for the future.”
The LEED system recognizes performance in five key areas of human and environmental health:
- sustainable site planning;
- safeguarding water and water efficiency;
- energy efficiency and renewable energy;
- conservation of materials and resources;
- indoor environmental air quality.
“We will strive to achieve LEED status by targeting required credits within the five key areas,” adds Gloria. “A few examples include the creation of a storm water management system, the installation of water-efficient showerheads, taps and toilets and the use of energy-efficient lighting, heating and cooling fixtures to meet energy performance standards.”
The new healthcare complex will replace the aging St. Catharines General and Ontario Street sites in St. Catharines and will also provide new regional services not previously available in Niagara, including radiation treatment for cancer, longer-term mental health and cardiac catheterization services.
