April 16, 2018
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Vancouver Zero Emissions Building Centre of Excellence – Announcement to partners and supporters
VANCOUVER, B.C. – The Vancouver Regional Construction Association (VRCA) in partnership with the City of Vancouver (the City), Passive House Canada and the Open Green Building Society is pleased to announce the initiation of the Vancouver Zero Emissions Building Centre of Excellence (the Centre and/or ZEBCoE), a collaborative platform to strengthen the public, private and civic capacities to deliver zero emissions buildings.
The mission of the Centre is to rapidly accelerate the capacity and enthusiasm of local developers, designers and builders to deliver cost-effective, attractive, zero emissions new residential and commercial buildings in Vancouver. Recognizing that knowledge, inspiration, and the building industry itself is not confined to municipal boundaries, the Centre aspires to learn from both local and global leaders and to expand its mission to support zero emissions building across the province.
The ZEBCoE project team is very grateful to over forty industry leaders for their support and patience while the foundations of this exciting initiative have been developed. More details about how industry stakeholders can get involved will be shared very soon.
“Vancouver is fortunate to have an innovative and courageous building industry,” says Gil Kelley, General Manager of Planning, Urban Design, and Sustainability for the City of Vancouver. “I am excited that the City could help to establish this centre where zero emissions industry leaders from across British Columbia and from around the world will share information and lessons learned in developing cost effective, attractive, zero emissions buildings. Our aim is to create healthier, more comfortable and sustainable homes while creating opportunities for local workers and industry to thrive.”
As host of the Centre, VRCA will work closely with key partners Passive House Canada and the Open Green Building Society, as well as industry stakeholders BCIT, Canada Green Building Council, Greater Vancouver Home Builders Association, Roofing Contractors Association of BC, SFU, Stuart Olson Centre for Building Performance, UBC, Vancity, Wood WORKS! BC, and many more companies, government agencies and NGOs that have voiced their support for this initiative.
“VRCA would like to acknowledge and thank the City for its vision and ambition to aggressively reduce carbon emissions from buildings and for its help to create capacity in the industry to deliver on that goal,” says VRCA President Fiona Famulak. “The development and launch of ZEBCoE aligns perfectly with our association’s strategic direction to foster an environment that encourages collaboration, innovation and continuous learning across the industry,” she continues. “We’re excited to work with our many partners to bring Canada’s first-ever Zero Emissions Building Centre of Excellence to life!”
The Centre will be located at the Hive, 128 W. Hastings Street, Vancouver. Helen Goodland of Brantwood Consulting will serve as interim Executive Director. An official launch of the Centre is planned for summer 2018.
Press release and contact information HERE.