CNC Technical Education centres ‘LEED’ the way By Jill Schettler
Quesnel atrium.
British Columbia’s post-secondary community is looking toward a new eco-awareness leader for inspiration – the College of New Caledonia (CNC). With the recent completion of the province’s first colleges certified to LEED® Gold standards, located at both the Prince George and Quesnel campuses, the benchmark has been set and the community is taking note. “This is very exciting and a great honour,” says Randall Heidt, CNC director of communications and development. “We are very proud of it and are happy to give back to the community and the environment. Hopefully we’re leading the way for other businesses and organizations.” For Heidt, one of the most notable features of the new $19.7-million Trades Educational Centre (TEC) build on the Prince George campus is the green roof located on top of the faculty offices. This living vegetative roof uses a hearty plant base as roof covering – an environmentally responsible solution to shingles. Other sustainable developments include onsite storm water management, solar collectors (to heat domestic hot water), radiant heating and cooling, displacement ventilation (reduce fan energy), natural ventilation (condition the space), thermal mass, dual-flush toilets, infloor radiation and the use of natural light (skylights). “It’s a more environmentally friendly alternative and, aesthetically, it’s quite nice,” comments Heidt of CNC’s TEC. “We certainly are making an effort to be green and energy-conscious.” IDL Projects Inc. was the team responsible for constructing the college’s new 75,067-square-foot space, which includes eight trade shops, 11 classrooms and four computer labs, along with a communal student lounge and space for 24 instructors. General contractor Sheldon Boyes and his team started from the ground up on the 22
Ops Talk • Spring 2012
low-bearing masonry structure. Boyes was attracted to this project namely because of the implications it holds for the industry. “I think CNC is showing their commitment to green energy and trying to reduce their footprint. And this building is obviously their first step in carrying that on,” says Boyes. “One of the things that is great about this project is its promotion of industry – bringing youth into the trades. This is a great facility for learning and we hope to hire the graduates of the CNC Centre. We support it 100 per cent.” The TEC will accommodate a total of 792 full-time equivalent (FTE) student spaces, an addition of 360 FTE student-training spaces in Prince George, which is about 10 per cent of the college’s current enrolment, shares Heidt. And, in an effort to expand and diversity technical and trades education, CNC is proud to offer a multitude of Red Seal trades and other technical programs in the new TEC building including welding, machinist, industrial mechanic/millwright, planermill technician, automotive collision repair, plumbing, engineering technology, mining technician, process operations, transportation and logistics, environmental technician, along with future programs. Over at the college’s Quesnel campus, similar progressions are being made. LEED Gold accreditation has been sought for the Quesnel Trades Educational Centre (TEC) expansion in an effort to successfully position the college for the future. The $9.8-million expansion for Quesnel completed Phase 2 of the North Cariboo Community Campus project in 2011. Kelowna-based PCL Constructors WestCoast Inc. was the successful bidder in the 28,675-square-foot building that incorporates four teaching shops, eight classrooms, two computer labs and 10 offices. Courses offered include welding, carpentry, electrical, plumbing, mechanics, power engineer, and horticulture.
