When the new Technical Education Centre is completed next spring at College of New Caledonia in Prince George it will be the first Leed gold standard building in the B.C. post secondary community.
"This is very exciting. It means the new trades and technology building will lead environmentally-friendly buildings," said Randall Heidt, CNC director of communications and development.
"We even have a vegetative roof with grass and plants, and we'll be using the collected water for our grounds, lawns and a fountain area.
The 75,000-square-foot centre, built by IDL Projects Inc., contains eight trade shops, 11 classrooms and four computer labs, along with a communal student lounge, space for 24 instructors and a pedestrian link to the Brink Trades building located across the street.
"Natural light is big in this facility with lots of skylights that will reduce the amount of electricity needed, while solar heating will provide the hot water needed in the building," said Heidt, who noted when extra sun energy is available, it will be used in the heating system.
"A natural gas boiler will provide the only energy required to keep the building warm during very cold days," said Heidt.
As well, thermal mass materials will absorb and hold the heat while in-floor radiation heating will maintain spaces at a comfortable temperature level, and during summer, radiant and night cooling will help mitigate the heat waves. Displacement ventilation will reduce fan energy and natural ventilation will condition the space.
The $19.7 million centre, funded on a 50-50 basis by the federal and provincial governments Knowledge Infrastructure Programs, will accommodate 800 trades students in Red Seal programs.
They include welding, machinist, industrial mechanic-millwright, planermill technician, automotive collision repair, plumbing, engineering technology, mining technician and process operations.
"It's expected to be substantially completed in March, and we're on target and on budget," said Heidt.
CNC received total of $30 million to construct new buildings at its campuses in Prince George and at Quesnel where a $9.8 million project is underway. Both buildings were designed by McFarlane, Green and Bigger Architects of Vancouver.
