Why? Today, the Union of Concerned Scientists warns that “every living system on the planet is in decline andthat the rate of decline is increasing”. Notable problems include: global warming; ozone depletion; acidrain; soil, water and air pollution; and loss of biodiversity, soil, and ground water resources. 1

The building industry plays a significant role in these issues. Today, buildings in the U.S. consume 30%of the world’s total energy and 60% of the world’s electricity. Consumption in Canada, although not as high in terms of total world values, is at an extremely high level per capita, given our relatively low population. In Alberta, fresh water consumption is the highest level per capita in the world. Typical commercial construction generates 2.5 lbs. of solid waste per square foot of floor space. During the process of construction, land and habitat are disturbed while water and topsoil are washed into stormsewers. 2

• Erosion and Sedimentation Control – To reduce the negative impacts on water and air quality.This encompasses proper land clearing techniques, sediment traps, storage and stabilization of top soil, silt fences and control of material released into the City’s storm sewer.
  
• Site Selection – 1st Choice purchased land that did not possess the following characteristics: prime farmland, land within a 100 year floor plain, land which provides habitat for species on a threatened or endangered list; land within 100 feet of a wetland; public parkland.
  
• Public Transportation Access – New building is accessible to City bus lines.
  
• Bicycle Storage and Changing Rooms – Bike racks will be provided on the site and changing rooms with shower facilities will be provided for the staff.
  
• Alternative Fuel Vehicles – Some electrical plug-in outlets will be provided in the parking lot for electrical or hybrid vehicles
  
• Reduced Site Disturbance – Open space on the site will be protected during construction and restored to an improved level by project completion.
  
• Reduced Development Footprint – City of Lethbridge zoning requirements for this commercial site require 50% as a maximum for the building footprint. The footprint of the 1st Choice building is 13.8% of the total site area, a reduction of 36.2%.
  
• Storm Water Management, Rate & Quantity – The eco roofs (vegetated area on rooftops) will decrease the storm water levels from the roofs by 50%. Paved areas have been kept to a minimum to allow for the building’s function. There is 52% of the site that has soft landscape which will contribute to a significant reduction in the rates and quantities of storm water run-off.
  
• Storm Water Management, Treatment – No storm water will run off the site. The site will capture all storm water and direct it to catch basins which will have oil/grit separators. The storm water will then flow into bioswales that will treat the water naturally by removing phosphates and solids before entering the City storm sewer line.
  
• Heat Island Effect, Roof – Reducing the heat absorption to the building is significant in the overall temperature effect for urban areas. The area of the eco roofs is 60% of the total roof area. This exceeds the LEED goal of 50% coverage to address the effects of the heat island.
  
• Light Pollution Reduction – Site lighting will use diffuse or muted light that meets illuminance values measured at eye height, and will not create glare or direct lighting onto neighbouring properties, streets or the night sky.

Water Efficiency

• Water Efficient Landscaping – No potable water will be used for irrigation on a regular basis.Rain and site water will be captured for irrigation. A Xeriscape solution for the landscape design will be employed. This involves the use of plant material that are native species and are drought tolerant.
  
• Water Use Reduction – Low flow plumbing fixtures such as dual flush toilets and waterless urinals will be incorporated into the building in order to reduce the amount of potable water used for the conveyance of sewage. An overall reduction of water use is anticipated to be 20 – 30%.

• Fundamental Building Systems Commissioning – Commissioning Plan will ensure that the building systems were designed to meet the needs of the building occupants and that the equipment is calibrated and tested so that maximum efficiency is achieved.
  
• Energy Performance – A very high quality building envelope, (walls & roof construction), will work in conjunction with high efficiency mechanical and electrical systems to optimize the energy performance of the building.
  
• CFCs, HCFCs and Halons – none of these ozone-depleting substances will be used in the building systems.
  
• Measurement & Verification – Instrumentation devices and sensors will be incorporated to provide for the ongoing accountability and optimization of the building energy and water consumption performance over time.
  
• Green Power – 1st Choice Savings and Credit Union will enter into a two year electric utility purchase contract for power generated from renewable resources.

Materials & Resources

• Storage and Collection of Recyclables – Building occupants will recycle paper, glass, metals and plastics.
  
• Construction Waste Management – 75% of the construction waste will be diverted from the landfill.
  
• Regional Materials – Materials that are extracted and manufactured within the surrounding area will be utilized as much as possible.
  
• Recycled Content – Use of building products with recycled content will be encouraged.
  
• Durability – The building will be constructed of durable materials that will achieve a long life span with low maintenance.

Indoor Environmental Quality

• Improve Indoor Air Quality – This has a significant influence on health. Improvements can increase general well being and worker productivity by as much as 16%.
  
• Environmental Tobacco Smoke Control – Smoking will be prohibited in the building. Outside the building, smoking will occur only in locations that will continue to provide a zero exposure to nonsmokers.
  
• Carbon Dioxide Monitoring – A permanent monitoring device will be installed in the building to ensure continuous feedback for CO2 levels.
  
• Construction IAQ Management Plan – Indoor air quality problems resulting from the construction process will be prevented to sustain long term health and comfort for installers and occupants. A two week building flush-out with new filtration media will be conducted prior to building occupancy.
  
• Low Emitting Materials – Carpet, paints, coatings, adhesives and sealants have been specified that meet targeted low levels of emissions.
  
• Indoor Chemical and Pollutant Source Control – Occupants will not be exposed to potentially hazardous chemicals that adversely impact air quality. Permanent entry way systems and airfilters will prevent dirt and particulates from entering the building’s air supply system.
  
• Controllability of Systems –A high level of individual occupant control of thermal, ventilation, and lighting systems will support optimum health, productivity and comfort conditions.
  
• Thermal Comfort – A humidification system together with a permanent temperature and humidity monitoring system configured to provide effective thermal comfort will be installed in the building.
  
• Daylight and Views – The building has been designed to provide for a connection between indoor spaces and outdoor environments through the introduction of sunlight and views into the occupied areas of the building.

Responsible choices made today by 1st Choice Savings and Credit Union will contribute towards the goal of a truly sustainable future. This would ensure economic, social and environmental prosperity for this and future generations.

1 Sustainability Report and Matrix, The Packard Foundation, 2002
2 IBID
3 IBID

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