October 21, 2008 – Assiniboine Credit Union, with the greatest number of credit union branches in Winnipeg, proved that an old gas station lot can be more than a brown field, when it unveiled its newest green branch today.

The former gas station lot was converted into the green branch over the course of nine months with the help of environmentally conscious architects, engineers, specialty consultants, landscapers, contractors and carpenters. Working as a team, their green mission meant they even kept construction site mud from being tracked into the street or flowing into the city sewer system.

Carefully following the recommendation of the LEED building rating system (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), the design and building team recycled everything from scrap lumber and metal strapping to construction workers’ coffee cups. Even the old asphalt and concrete parking lot that was part of the original gas station was crushed and recycled – saving 200 tonnes of debris from going into a landfill, said ACU’s Vice President of Facilities and Procurement Garry Mitchell.

“Some of the contractors who have run construction sites across the country tell us this is the first project they’ve seen that didn’t have giant garbage dumpsters being filled every week. Instead it had giant recycling bins,” said Mitchell who has been overseeing the project for ACU.

The Fort Richmond branch at 2659 Pembina Highway is slated to open mid-November. Some of the features include The SolarWall® which pre-heats ventilation air, geothermal heating, plenty of windows offering natural light, low flush toilets, showers and bike racks for staff who cycle to work and sensors in the offices that shut the lights off if no one is in the room.

A specially designed roof catches rainwater that is stored in a 7,570-litre in-ground water reservoir that is then used to irrigate the landscaping thereby saving water. The landscaping reaches right up to the public transit bus stop and trees planted nearby will provide shade for people using public transit and will keep the building cool in the summer reducing the need for air conditioning.

“Every detail has been thought of,” said Chair of the ACU Board of Directors Garry Loewen during a tour of the building today.

“This branch was designed and built in the way we like to do business – in a cooperative way. We know that it takes a whole team to make a difference on the environment – from early designs to recycled coffee cups and it was only possible because everyone cared,” he added.

President and CEO Al Morin said the credit union, with the largest membership of all the credit unions in Manitoba, surveyed members a few years ago and they made it clear that they expected ACU to be good to the environment.

“What you see here today is exactly what they expect of us at Assiniboine Credit Union. It makes good sense for the environment and makes good economic sense when you realize this building will save 35 to 40 percent of the energy and 40 percent of the water use of a regular branch,” Morin said.

ACU Fort Richmond Branch Key Green Features

INSIDE:

• Showers (and bike racks) encourage staff to cycle to work
• Low flush toilets and low consumption taps conserve water
• Geothermal system draws on the earth’s energy to heat the building
• Plenty of windows offer natural lighting reducing the need to turn on lights
• All the mechanical and refrigeration systems are free of CFCs and HCFCs thereby helping to protect the earth’s ozone layer
• Windows open and close increasing comfort and providing natural cooling
• Individual lighting controls, dimmers and occupancy sensors allow fine adjustment of lighting
• Sealants, glue, paint and carpeting were chosen based on their low Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) emissions to reduce harmful chemicals released into the air

OUTSIDE

• The former gas station land was cleaned up and soil contaminants removed
• The branch is near a bus stop that serves four public transit routes making it convenient for ACU staff and members to take the bus to the branch
• The entire parking lot is a no-idle zone
• The traditional drive-through ATM has been replaced with a walk-up ATM eliminating idling vehicles in lineups
• The SolarWall®, a perforated metal cladding, preheats the ventilation air
• The roof helps collect rainwater that is saved in a 7,570-litre in-ground water reservoir to be used to irrigate landscaping
• The roof is made of a light-coloured metal that doesn’t absorb as much heat reducing the need for air conditioning
• Prairie tree, shrubs and grasses replace an old parking lot
• Reducing cement and returning plants to the site helps reduce water runoff into the sewer system

SAVINGS

These features are expected to:

• Reduced energy costs 35 to 40 percent
• Reduce human water consumption 40 percent
• Reduce outside rain water run off into the sewer 35 percent
• Save water used to water trees, shrubs and grass 100 percent

BUILDING COST

The new branch that replaces a branch just down the street cost $2.2 million to build. Energy savings are expected to reach about $8,000 a year over the energy costs of the former branch. The new Fort Richmond branch is one of ACU’s 23 branches in Winnipeg serving more than 100,000 ACU members.