InnFocus Summer 2021

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GO Green A Journey Towards Sustainability – Watermark Beach Resort Case Study by Dylan Tomlin Courtesy of Watermark Beach Resort Located just steps from the beach, marina, and a wide variety of dining and shopping options, Watermark Beach Resort, in Osoyoos, is the ideal location for those wanting to discover the South Okanagan ‘Good Life’. With effortless access to a myriad of exciting activities and entertainment, the lakeside resort is highly regarded for delivering a seamless guest experience that distinguishes it as a must-visit destination within the world-renowned Okanagan wine country. While Watermark’s overwhelming commitment to hospitality is at the forefront of its operations, the beach resort’s dedication to guests extends further than its amenities. The Watermark team remain acutely aware of the property’s responsibility to the land it occupies and the need to protect it, taking significant strides to reduce its environmental impact and proudly communicate this green policy to guests and stakeholders. Among the many sustainable solutions the operations team has implemented are a recycling program, an eco-conscious food and beverage program, and electric vehicle charging stations throughout the 14 <strong>InnFocus</strong> The Watermark team was able to reduce their annual operating costs by $27,500. resort, which aim to promote green transportation throughout the Okanagan and beyond. Similarly, the property is dedicated to becoming carbon and waste neutral, consistently auditing and measuring their progress, while administering solutions that will help reduce the resort’s footprint. As an important step in this process, the Watermark team employed GreenStep Solutions’ EcoFund Program, in February of 2018, to identify green solutions that would not only support their sustainability mandate but aid in reducing operating costs. Project: Identifying Opportunity Inefficient lighting significantly drives up wasteful energy consumption and electricity bills in hotels, so upgrading this is an intelligent investment for an efficient future. Following an in-depth sustainability consultation with Watermark, GreenStep Solutions was able to identify a Lighting Retrofit as an opportunity for positive change, advising that the resort opt for LED lights over their incandescent counterparts. LEDs—short for light-emitting diodes—are a proven solution for operators seeking sustainable tools, offering an exceptional blend of opportunity and efficiency along various colour options and controllability.
Solution: Lighting Retrofit Following the advice of GreenStep Solutions, Watermark conducted an extensive LED Retrofit across the entire property. Remarkably, by replacing 1,825 LED lights, the Watermark team was able to reduce their annual operating costs by $27,500 and their annual energy consumption by over 200,000 kwh—this has provided them with a return on investment of over 300%. Furthermore, through the GreenStep EcoFund program, Watermark raised well over $100,000 and a portion of the EcoFund was used to wholly finance the LED Retrofit. They now have a sizable EcoFund left to employ towards future projects that will help them move forward in their commitment to greener operations. While the team at Watermark has already taken significant strides towards sustainability, they continue to look to the future. This resort is an exceptional example of how we can all work together to improve our planet. The property is currently in the process of undertaking an Energy Assessment through the BC Hotel Association’s (BCHA’s) GoGreen Programme. As the BCHA Energy Analyst, I am working alongside the Watermark team to help them identify the next phase in their commitment to green operations. Through this work, I will also determine what rebates and incentives exist from FortisBC to help lower the overall cost of the project. No matter where you are in your own journey towards sustainability, I encourage you to follow the lead of resorts like Watermark Beach Resort and routinely look for opportunities to become more eco-friendly. Reach your sustainability and efficiency targets faster by utilizing benefits offered through your membership with the BCHA. I commend the Watermark team for the substantial work they have done to meet their sustainability goals and I look forward to helping you reach yours. <strong>InnFocus</strong> 15
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InnFocus Summer 2021

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