Junction East sustainability study presented to Sudbury council

Ontario Construction News staff writer

Building the Junction East project to achieve net-zero carbon would add about $5.2 million to the capital cost, according to a new sustainability study presented to Sudbury council on Mar. 8.

The study was led by Fluent Group, a sub-consultant of WZMH Architects, the architectural and engineering consultant for the Junction East project. Findings will be used to design a building that is “responsive to the pressures of energy price volatility, energy security issues and global climate change”.

Michael Pelton and Grant Peters, principals at Fluent Group consulting engineers presented findings to Sudbury council.

“We looked at everything from what we consider a baseline building or a code compliant building right through to a full net zero energy scenario where all of the energy used by the facility is completely offset by renewables,” Peters said.

“We also looked at other sustainability features . . . as well as green building certification systems such as LEED and the zero-carbon building standard”.

The study and other aspects of the project will be considered at a special meeting Apr. 5.

Fluent Group’s main recommendation is to proceed with a zero-carbon design.

“This would demonstrate bold municipal leadership in the increasingly urgent struggle with global climate change,” the report concludes.

The study was conducted over the summer and fall of 2021 and included public feedback sessions. Workshops were held to ensure the study aligned with sustainability aspirations for the facility and positioned the project to meet the goals of the city’s community energy and emissions plan (CEEP).

Fluent Group’s main recommendation f is to proceed with a zero carbon design.

“This would demonstrate bold municipal leadership in the increasingly urgent struggle with global climate change,” the report concludes.

The study assessed the energy performance sustainability options for Junction East, as well as non-energy sustainability features that consider the site, water usage, material use and indoor environmental air quality. The study concludes that Junction East should pursue Net Zero Carbon and LEED® Silver Certification to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, demonstrate an enhanced level of environmental performance and meet global standards in green buildings.

Consultants also recommended expanding the design scope to include other best practices, including reducing irrigation and water usage by 50 per cent, minimizing light pollution, and adding bicycle infrastructure

Expected to open in 2024, Junction East will be located on the east side of Shaughnessy Street in the downtown.  It is being developed in collaboration with the Greater Sudbury Public Library, Art Gallery of Sudbury, Sudbury Multicultural Folk Arts Association and Sudbury Theatre Centre.

A comprehensive update on the Junction East project, including recommendations on sustainability features will be presented at a special meeting of City Council on April 5, 2022.

For more information on Junction East and the city’s other large projects, visit www.greatersudbury.ca/largeprojects.

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