Ontario Construction News staff writer
The Region of Waterloo received the Sustainable Communities Award from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) for the first net-zero carbon community housing build at 420 Kingscourt Dr. FCM awards communities throughout Canada for sustainability projects that have social and economic benefits on the environment.
Norlon Builders, a London based construction firm, is the contractor for the $33.5 million, six-storey building.
Council has prioritized greener practices for all new Waterloo Region Housing (WRH) buildings. The Region launched the WRH Revitalization Plan (then WRH Master Plan), a plan to expand the WRH portfolio, including the Kingscourt Drive project.
“Protecting the environment and creating affordable housing are two key priorities identified by the community and so we are pleased to be able to address both of these with the Kingscourt project,” said Jim Erb, regional councillor and chair of the community and health services committee.”
Kingscourt Court has solar panels and received ZCB-Design certification by Canada Green Building Council, a framework for verifying the zero-carbon performance of buildings during operations.
The energy-efficient building design will garner savings of about $54,000 annually, in addition to individual resident energy savings. This location at 420 Kingscourt will add 73 affordable homes to our community.
“Providing a comfortable and energy-efficient place to live for households who have lower incomes is one way to ensure that they are not left behind as we transition away from fossil fuels and move toward renewable energy,” said Judy Maan Miedema, principal planner, affordable housing development.
Construction started in November 2022 and is expected to be completed by Summer 2025.
