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Enjoy LEED Gold Certification in Victoria

The Vancouver Island Technology Park (with LEED Gold Certification in Victoria) strives to be a facility beyond just a building with people in it. VITP strongly believes by adding numerous value-added services, the level of satisfaction in working here dramatically increases. As we are entering into a new era of corporate sustainability, VITP has taken it upon itself to become a leader in this category. When redesigning the old Glendale Hospital to what is now known as the Vancouver Island Technology Park, management worked together to make VITP the first LEED Gold certified building in Canada. Not only does VITP have a steadfast commitment towards sustainability in its existing development, they also will implement such initiatives with its new Master Plan designs.

Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design

The Vancouver Island Technology Park is the first project in Canada to achieve certification under the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED™) Rating System. The LEED 2.0 Gold rating reflects the steadfast commitment of the University of Victoria to sustainable development, and distinguishes this project as an outstanding accomplishment in the field of green building.

According the US Green Building Council, The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™ is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings. Leed certified buildings give building owners and operators the tools they need to have an immediate and measurable impact on their buildings’ performance. LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality.

Below are examples of how the Vancouver Island Technology Park has gained LEED Gold certification:

  • Reduce overall potable water use by using waterless urinals, dual flush toilets and sensor flush
  • Limit the use of potable water for Landscaping Irrigation by planting Native Plant Species
  • Recharge the water table with storm water filtered through grass and gravel Parking
  • Filter polluting substances and sediments out of storm water run-off from vehicle parking and roads before it leaves the site by using Water Filtration
  • Moderate microclimate with vegetative cover. Conserving existing natural areas and restoring damaged areas to provide habitat and promote biodiversity.
  • Conserve and/or create native plantings and wildlife habitat through appropriate landscaping strategies.
  • Minimize potentially harmful chemical pollution in the management of indoor and outdoor plant and structural pests by not using pesticide products on our landscaping.
  • Reduce the disposal of waste materials in landfills by providing on-site recycling facility.
  • Reduce annual source operating energy by using Thermal Storage, variable volume for pumping for water loop heat pumps.

Sustainable Awards:

  • BOMA Earth Award (sponsored by BC Hydro Powersmart)
  • Greenways Developer’s Award
  • 2006 Finalist VIATeC Environmental Award
  • 2003 NRC Innovation Award for Sustainable Development
  • 2002 Minister’s Environmental Award
  • 2002 UDI Award for Excellence in Urban Development