October 28, 2005 Source: Memorial University of Newfoundland:
http://www.mun.ca/marcomm/news/index.php?includefile=showitem.php&id=942 SWGC: Sir Wilfred Grenfell College promotes environmental aspects of long-term care facility construction Grenfell College is pleased that the construction of the new long-term care facility, which will be built on part of the campus property, will meet certain environmental specifications. The ground-breaking ceremony for the official start of construction was conducted on Wednesday; Premier Danny Williams and a number of provincial and municipal leaders were on hand for the ceremony. Grenfell College, having donated a part of its property for the construction, is proud to be connected to a project of this magnitude which is striving to meet specific environmental guidelines. "The aim is to have the building meet LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) status," said Mr. Dennis Waterman, director of Administration and Finance at Sir Wilfred Grenfell College. LEED is a performance rating system that considers such factors as site planning, energy efficiency, water use, indoor environment and use of resources in its assessment of a building’s design. There are three different levels a building can attain – gold, silver and bronze. The long-term care facility aims to meet the silver level. "Grenfell College positions itself as an organization that promotes environmental excellence," said Mr. Waterman. "We’re pleased that the provincial government is attempting to construct a building that will fit that agenda." One of the key conditions of the construction on Grenfell’s property was the protection of the fen behind the campus. "The fen is clearly delineated on the plot plan," said Mr. Waterman. "Water sources should not be disrupted. The site engineers have assured us that the fen will not be negatively affected." As well, the trees surrounding the site were an issue for the college – only those that absolutely have to be removed for access to the building will be cut. "We’re confident that the building will be constructed in a manner as unobtrusive as possible for the campus, both environmentally, and aesthetically," said Mr. Waterman. - 30 - For further information, please contact Pamela Gill, communications co-ordinator, Sir Wilfred Grenfell College, (709) 637-6200 ext. 6134 or pgill@swgc.mun.ca.
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