North Toronto CI Achieves LEED Gold

It was ambitious to say the least. Build a school that not only provides an exceptional teaching and learning setting, but an environmentally superior school equipped with the latest green technologies — setting it apart from the rest. This was the vision for the Toronto District School Board’s (TDSB) North Toronto Collegiate Institute (NTCI) redevelopment project — a vision whose realization was formally acknowledged in March when the Canada Green Building Council announced that the newly opened school has achieved a Gold rating under its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program.

“We achieved what we set out to do and it feels good,” says Sheila Penny, Director of Strategic Building and Renewal at the TDSB. “Achieving LEED Gold is a tremendous accomplishment and I applaud our team of talented and committed individuals for helping to make it happen.”

LEED certification is an internationally recognized benchmark for green building design, construction and sustainability. Managed by the Canada Green Building Council, LEED outlines new construction guidelines and measures results using a point-system in six areas — sustainable sites, materials and resources, water efficiency, indoor environmental quality, energy and atmosphere, and innovation.

President and CEO of the Canada Green Building Council, Thomas Mueller, is happy to see educational institutions like the TDSB taking their green building dedication to such high standards. “I am very impressed with the North Toronto Collegiate Institute’s achievement of a LEED Gold certification,” he says. “Providing a healthy and environmentally responsible environment sets the right tone and context for educational institutions which are shaping our future practitioners and leaders. This approach will benefit us all in the years to come.”

Inspired by efforts to transform NTCI into an environmentally superior facility, staff and students have also taken their green commitment to the next level. The school achieved a Gold EcoSchools certification for the 2010/11 school year - a step up from their Silver certification in 2009/10.

“NTCI students are truly global citizens who care about making positive impacts on their environment,” says Joel Gorenkoff, NTCI Principal. “Environmental awareness and positive action is seen in every aspect of school life and we are extremely proud to be a Gold EcoSchool and now a Gold LEED school.”

North Toronto Collegiate Institute is the third TDSB school to be LEED certified —Thomas L. Wells Public School (LEED Silver, 2006) and Brookside Public School (LEED Gold, 2008). Other projects currently underway at Nelson Mandela Park Public School and Thorncliffe Park Public School are also working towards LEED certification.

• 68 bicycle storage spaces and 16 showers to accommodate commuters
  
• 3 electric vehicle charging stations
  
• 54% of roof fitted with Xero Flor green roof technology
  
• 63.3% of construction waste was diverted from landfills
  
• 49.45% of construction materials were regionally manufactured and extracted
  
• 73.54% of wood products are FSC-certified and 26.63% of all construction material contained recycled content
  
• Natural gas consumption has been reduced by nearly 60%