Centre showcased at international event

November 22, 2005

Centre in the Park to be showcased at international event

Strathcona County's Centre in the Park project is about to gain international attention. At the invitation of Alberta Environment, Strathcona County is taking a display on Centre in the Park to a major event in Montreal from November 27 to December 2.

The exhibit, called Climate Change Solutions showcase, is being sponsored by the Government of Canada in conjunction with the United Nations' Conference on Climate Change. An anticipated 7,000 delegates from 189 countries are expected to attend the U.N. conference.

Centre in the Park is among just five projects from Alberta being featured as initiatives underway to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

"We are honoured to accept the invitation to participate," says Mayor Cathy Olesen. "This recognition affirms our vision for Centre in the Park as a model of sustainable development, and underlines the leadership being exhibited by Strathcona County and our partners."

Centre in the Park, being constructed in the heart of Sherwood Park, will include residential buildings, retail services, and public spaces including a central walkway and plaza.

One of the key features will be a community energy system that supplies heat through hot water piped underground from a central source. The system will serve existing County buildings in the area as well as new buildings being constructed in Centre in the Park, with the potential for others to be added in future.

The community energy system is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 1,100 tonnes per year, or 18 per cent less than a conventional system. It will be operated as a utility, meaning that all costs will be paid by user fees.

Centre in the Park also includes a pedestrian-friendly design, measures to conserve water, environmentally friendly street lighting and landscaping, the use of recycled and recyclable materials, and locally sourced materials and products.

More information on partments/Planning+and+Development+Services/Centre+in+the+Park/default.htm"> Centre in the Park.

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Contact: Mayor Cathy Olesen, 464-8000