Walden Public School to be featured at international sustainability conference

The Rainbow District School Board’s second green school will be showcased at an international conference on sustainability. Walden Public School has been selected as one of the poster projects for a presentation on Canada’s most environmentally advanced buildings at Sustainable Buildings 2011 (SB11) to be held in Helsinki, Finland from October 18 to 21, 2011.

Gordon Shymko, Captain of the Canada SB11 Team, said Canada is viewed as an international leader in the field of green buildings. “We are very pleased to include your project as part of efforts for this round and we fully expect that it will contribute to the enhancement of the reputation of Canada at SB11.”

“We are delighted to have been selected to share our experience and expertise in building green schools on the international stage,” said Rainbow District School Board Chair Tyler Campbell. “Our goal is to build a carbon neutral facility, where the energy that is used is equal to the energy that is produced,” he added. “We are well on our way towards achieving this vision and look forward to sharing our progress around the world.”

Rainbow District School Board has received $971,800 under the Renewable Energy Funding for Schools initiative to install a 100 kilowatt solar photovoltaic system on the roof of Walden Public School. The project will be completed by August 31st, 2011.

A geothermal heating and cooling system provides four units of energy from the ground for every unit of energy purchased from conventional sources. This efficiency is unequalled by other conventional heating and cooling systems. The heat collected from the geothermal system is distributed throughout the school via radiant infloor heating. 

Displacement ventilation improves the indoor air quality. The system brings 100 per cent outdoor air into the school. Any air pollutants generated within the building are removed at the source and are not re-circulated.

Energy efficient fixtures in all washrooms help conserve water use. Superior window, floor and roof insulation increases thermal performance of the building by 50 per cent, compared to conventional facilities.

When rooms are not in use, occupancy sensors automatically shut lights off, resulting in significant energy savings. With waterless urinals, a biodegradable liquid cleans the waste in the drain system. The learning environment is lit with natural light by increasing daylight levels in all classrooms by 15 per cent of the floor area.

The building incorporates Smart IT systems, making use of state-of-the-art technology such as Smart Boards. One small (20 kw) wind turbine will generate 15 per cent of the school’s electricity.

Walden Public School, which opened in November 2009, offers English and French Immersion Programs for students in JK to Grade 6 in Sudbury West.

-30-

Media Contact:

Nicole Charette, Senior Advisor,
Corporate Communications and Strategic Planning,
Rainbow District School Board, 674-3171, ext. 7217.