The Ts’uubaa-asatx Nation’s community centre is adding solar panels and storage batteries to save energy and reduce its environmental footprint, thanks to federal funding.
The retrofit at the community centre is one of four projects at community centres on Vancouver Island that are being funded with $5.2 million from the federal Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program, which helps ensure community facilities are inclusive, accessible, and have a long service life, while also helping Canada move towards its net-zero objectives by 2050.
Ts’ubaa-asatx Nation Councillor Melanie Livingston said that through the GICB funding, the First Nation is able to add secondary power sources to its community centre through the installation of solar panels.
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“Furthermore, we were able to provide much more energy efficiency measures such as additional insulation, energy-efficient windows, and an HVAC system as well to allow for a longer lifespan of the building, as well as reduce operations costs in the future,” she said.
The GICB program aims to improve the places Canadians work, learn, play, live and come together by cutting pollution, reducing costs, and supporting thousands of good jobs.
“Our efforts to revitalize important spaces aims to make these spaces more accessible and energy-efficient, which reflects our dedication to building vibrant, healthy communities,” said Jonathan Wilkinson, minister of Energy and Natural Resources, on behalf of Sean Fraser, minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities.
“We will continue to invest in projects that contribute to the well-being of our neighbourhoods by creating spaces where people can gather, engage in physical activities, pursue hobbies, and access essential community resources.”