Envision Credit Union Press Release
Cobalt’s 4th LEED certified project…
VANCOUVER, January 6, 2006 – Envision Financial’s new Credit Union Branch in Willoughby was awarded LEED Certified status by the U.S. Green Building Council on November 4, 2005. It is the first financial institution in Canada to receive this certification for environmentally responsible design.
“At Envision, we are striving to become an industry leader in corporate citizenship so when we set out to build our Willoughby branch, environmental sustainability was an important consideration,” says Envision Financial President and CEO Gord Huston. “Envision staff not only work in Fraser Valley communities, we live in them too, and we want to help build healthy and vibrant communities.”
The 9,000 square foot Langley building is a functional combination of environmental stewardship and social responsibility. Staff who work in this new branch report that the near-360-degree daylight makes it possible to leave the lights off most of the day and helps them feel more comfortable and productive in their work environment.
“One of the first things our members notice is the extensive daylight in this branch,” says Willoughby Branch Manager Terry Jones. “I am proud to work for an organization that is committed to social responsibility and to improving quality of life in the local community.”
Less visible but no less notable, the new branch offsets 100% of its greenhouse gas production and energy use through the purchase of BC Hydro’s Green Power Certificates (GPC). For each GPC purchased, BC Hydro guarantees that an equal amount of green electricity will enter the transmission grid generated from one of approximately 16 green generation producers located throughout British Columbia. Overall, Envision Financial’s Willoughby Community Branch is offsetting enough energy to power approximately 60 households per year.
Building materials and sourcing were also carefully considered, earning the Credit Union a LEED Innovation credit for exceptional performance, with 16% of the building products containing recycled content and nearly 50% of the building materials being manufactured locally. Dual flush toilets, waterless urinals, and water efficient landscaping have reduced the project’s water use by over 40%.
The new building is a reflection of Envision’s mission to be an industry leader in corporate citizenship. Since beginning this project, it has purchased 100% green power certificates for four other branches in the Lower Mainland. And it will continue this effort into the future, with plans to offset the energy use of all of its branches with green power, and design its new branches and renovations to LEED standards.
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