January 3, 2005 York Region Administrative Centre undergoes environmental makeover

Energy-saving retrofit planned for other Regional facilities

NEWMARKET � In an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 900 tonnes, the Regional Municipality of York is undergoing a major energy retrofit project to equip the York Region Administrative Centre and other Regional facilities with advanced energy-saving and environmental-friendly technologies.

As a part of a corporate-wide Building Energy Feasibility Study (BEFS) initiative, the Region's Property Services Branch is phasing in energy and water reduction measures throughout Regional facilities, which began with the Administrative Centre earlier this fall.

"York Region remains committed to environmental protection," said York Regional Chair and CEO Bill Fisch. "I am very pleased with the progress of the energy retrofit to date, which will ultimately benefit both our environment as well as our taxpaying residents."

As a part of this energy retrofit, the York Region Administrative Centre in Newmarket will be equipped with technologies to help control lighting, temperature, ventilation and water throughout the building. New technologies include:

Sensors that control lighting of work spaces based on occupancy e.g. specific lights will turn off when offices and rooms are not in use
Lighting re-design in work areas to match the functionality of the space and improve overall lighting performance e.g. fixtures that take into consideration natural sunlight sources and in return reduce overall lighting output and increasing efficiency
Low-flow showerheads and faucet sensors
Various high efficiency heating, ventilation and air conditioning measures

"The Region is using leading-edge, energy-saving technologies in the retrofit of our facilities," said Michael Garrett, Chief Administrative Officer for York Region. "The purpose of this project is to reduce wasted energy and water while making a more comfortable work environment for all employees and visitors to Regional facilities."

As a result of the energy-saving retrofit of the Administrative Centre, over $200,000 in facility operating costs will be saved annually.

The Administrative Centre energy retrofit and associated Building Energy Feasibility Study initiative were made possible through funding partnerships with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Green Municipal Enabling Funds, the Natural Resources Canada Office of Energy Efficiency and Enbridge Gas Distribution.

The York Region Administrative Centre was opened in late 1993, and houses several different York Region departments as well as the York Regional Police headquarters. The building is 497,000 square feet in size, and home to approximately 1,000 Regional employees including 330 York Regional Police employees. Many of these employees provide essential services to Regional residents 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

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For more information on the Regional Municipality of York and the services our Region offers, please visit our Web site at: www.york.ca

Media Contact: Tracy Atkins, Corporate Communications, York Region
Phone: (905) 830-4444, ext. 1236
Email: tracy.atkins@york.ca
After hours media queries: Pager (905) 830-3302