Surrounded by towering cedar trees and flanked by the Cheakamus River, the North Shore Credit Union (NSCU) Environmental Learning Centre (ELC) has reached completion.
Festivities to open the ELC on June 20 were punctuated by bird song in the trees. That's because the facility is integrated within the forest, making it truly a model of sustainability, explained Franci Stratton, chair of the North Vancouver School District board of trustees.
Situated in the heart of the North Vancouver Outdoor School (NVOS), the ELC is an 850-square-metre building that includes classrooms, a nature gallery, an outdoor classroom area and dining area. The building's award-winning design features environmental principles such as geothermal water heating, a stormwater harvesting system and a "tree house" concept that elevates visitors to the forest canopy level. The framers of project has also are seeking LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum certification, the highest level of energy-efficient design.
Construction on the $5.8 million ELC began in February 2011. Chris Catliff, president and CEO of NSCU, said that the credit union chose the school as a recipient for a $1 million legacy fund donation because of its innovative programs to teach and inspire youth about sustainability and the environment.
"Our impact on the Earth is accelerating at a growing rate," he told those gathered for the ceremony. "We need to raise the consciousness of our children and young adults in order to solve the problems we're creating. Our youth are vital to the advancement of environmental causes, and for that reason, we are honoured to partner with the North Vancouver Outdoor School and open the NSCU Environmental Learning Centre to provide an inspirational place for learning and understanding."
John Lewis, superintendent of the North Vancouver School District and the master of ceremonies, added, "We consider the outdoor school to be a prized emblem of 'the natural place to learn.' This world-class facility brings together our values of environmental stewardship and sustainability to support an exceptional program of experiential outdoor education and hospitality."
The ceremony, which attracted more than 100 people, commenced with speeches and a welcoming song and drumming by Chief Ian Campbell (Sekyu Siyam) and members of the Squamish Nation in the amphitheatre below the building, followed by the unveiling of a wood carving inside the centre made by master carver Aaron Nelson-Moody.
