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New school features sustainable design Wouldn’t it be nice to spend less money on energy costs and have that money to spend in the classroom instead? School District 47 is as interested as anyone in saving money. So much in fact that they are following The Canadian Green Building Council’s LEED program for green buildings, which includes a category on energy and atmosphere, in the building of the new Westview Elementary School. The result? It is predicted that the new school will save the district up to 52 per cent in energy costs annually. Yes, 52 per cent, says Doug Hibbins, project manager of Westview Elementary. “The energy modeling has predicted that the school will achieve a 52 per cent energy savings compared to the reference model in the Model National Energy Code for Buildings,” said Hibbins, who has been hired by the school district to oversee this project. “Every dollar that the school district can save on heating can be spent in the classroom and that is really important,” he said. Powell River’s newest school, which is scheduled to be complete in September 2012, will “showcase the best practices in design and construction,” says Hibbins. The building is expected to achieve Gold Certification with the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program. “We’re pretty excited about it,” said School Trustee Doug Skinner. “This school will be a feature school for the community.” The school will be located along Selkirk Avenue and Nootka Street with the main entrance near the corner. There will be drop off areas on both streets. The gym at Westview Elementary will be comparable in size to the Brooks gym. “It will be perfect for our elementary school events,” said Skinner. Other features include a pre-kindergarten set up for learning. “We want the whole community to use this building,” he added. The school district has included multi-purpose rooms and community offices that can be used for community purposes. “A lot of groups use our gyms after school and in the evening and we see that this facility will help in this regard,” said Skinner. The new school will have a geothermal heating system, automatic dimming lights and electric car charging stations. Materials have been selected based on sustainable best building practices while objectives such as minimal goods transportation, recycled content and reduced off gassing have been considered. “Natural wood will add to the rooms,” said Hibbins. In fact, wood will define the interior of the new school. It will be found throughout the building both in common areas and classrooms. By having a two-storey school, the environmental footprint on the site will be reduced. “This is an important objective from a sustainability standpoint,” says Hibbins. A two-storey school is also more energy efficient and by design it leaves more room for green space. “The design minimizes the amount of asphalt, too.” A sports field, including baseball diamonds, will extend from the school along Selkirk to Massett Avenue. Other important features include a ball hockey and basketball court, adventure playground, outdoor amphitheatre, preschool play areas and an outdoor education area. By orienting the windows north/south instead of east/west the amount of heat gain is reduced during the warmer months, which reduces the need for cooling. In the winter, the school will realize the benefit of solar gain in the classrooms. “The design calls for high performance glass and sun shading devices,” said Hibbins, pointing to design drawings where horizontal louvers over the windows and generous overhangs are visible. Low-flow plumbing fixtures will be used throughout the school. By selecting materials such as glues that do not off gas rather than ones that do, the district will be demonstrating the best practices for sustainability, said Hibbins. Yellowridge Construction Limited are the builders and KMBR Architects Planners, one of the largest school architectural firms in BC, are the architects. The process being used to build this school is a departure from the traditional approach of design, bid and build. “In this case the architect works for the contractor. It is much more of a collaborative process.” The design is fluid, which means the team will carry on completing the design and adhering to the contract requirements as work progresses. The preliminary design was unveiled at an open house at Grief Point Elementary School last month. “Some things will change because of input from teachers and staff,” said Hibbins. Westview Elementary School will be built withstand seismic activity. For more details on the new school please visit the School District 47s website at www.sd47.bc.ca. 46 • www.PRLiving.ca
Max Cameron Theatre presents Experience Entertainment! LIVE ON STAGE! Thursday, April 14 at 7:30 pm 4 th Come out at 10 am on Saturday, April 30th for a day of celebration aimed at recovering, and uncovering, our trails and back roads from improperly discarded trash. Saturday, April 30 at 10 am In a thrilling concert for all Pink Floyd fans, Classic Albums Live recreates live on stage, note for note, and cut, for cut, one of the most successful albums of all time. Thursday, April 28 at 7:30 pm Shane Koyczan Canadian Slam Poet Shane Koyczan brings enormous vitality and virtuosity to every performance. Well known for his poem “We Are More” performed at the 2010 Olympics, Shane's warmth, wit, and sincerity are a hit with crowds of all ages and his poems speak directly to the heart. Check Coming in june Good Timber Songs & Stories of the Western Logger out “We Are More” on YouTube. Shane will amaze you. This event is supported by the Powell River Public Library A fascinating show, brilliantly performed and backed by projected images of logging history from the BC archives. A LIVE musical revue based on the poems of Robert E Swanson, “Bard of the Woods.” The TRASH BASH will take place from Willingdon Beach. Arrive at 9:30 am to register. Participants will be provided with a free mouth-watering lunch as well as being entered in a draw for door prizes. Cash prizes available for youth groups. Contact for registration and/or information: trashbash@powellriverrd.bc.ca Phone 604 483-3231 or fax 604 483-2229 Please include: name and number of contact, organization or company name (if applicable), number of participants, whether a clean-up site and map is requested, whether you will be providing your own garbage-hauling transportation. Remember to bring gloves & other tools to help you pick up trash! Garbage bags will be provided. To report sites for clean-up, contact trashbash@powellriverrd.bc.ca TickeTs • Academy of Music Box Office... call 604 485-9633 to buy then pick up at the show. Day of performance tickets at the door. Adults $24 • seniors/students $20 • Age 12 & under $12 www.MaxCameronTheatre.ca Organized and supported by The Sustainable Schools Committee, The Regional District and Forestry BC Powell River Living • april 2011 • 47
Page 1 and 2: april 2011 Little house • Big dif
Page 3 and 4: Be Active... every dAy! • Be Acti
Page 5 and 6: It’s not easy, but bein’ green
Page 7 and 8: Kate’s green house Tiny home is p
Page 9 and 10: until I need them. I am very carefu
Page 11 and 12: From bicycles to buses Mayor walks
Page 13 and 14: St John Ambulance Powell River’s
Page 15 and 16: The dry end of Paper Machine #11 Ca
Page 17 and 18: well below average for communities
Page 19 and 20: Meet the crew Why they work for Cat
Page 21 and 22: Who is smarter than a sixth grader?
Page 23 and 24: “I’m the original punk-rock hip
Page 25 and 26: Powell River Living • april 2011
Page 27 and 28: Welcome to the Fun House Actor/dire
Page 29 and 30: Willy Wonka Junior Part of a musica
Page 31 and 32: organisms. Myrtle Creek's precious
Page 33 and 34: Moroccan feast In aid of solar cook
Page 35 and 36: At long last A community of firsts
Page 37 and 38: Class of ‘65 restored to former g
Page 39 and 40: Métis history in the making Local
Page 41 and 42: There was Prince Philip, looking ha
Page 43 and 44: Food for thought Could Powell River
Page 45: APRIL 2011 April 1 & 15: ORCA Bus w

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