West Vancouver, B.C.—The West Vancouver Memorial Library has received $700,086 in funding through the Government of Canada’s Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program and the Government of British Columbia’s CleanBC Communities Fund, which will enable the Library to move off of natural gas and save up to 39.9 tonnes CO2e annually.
The Library’s existing natural gas system represents one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions from the building. With this funding, the Library will replace its existing system with new electrical equipment and high-efficiency hydronic baseboard heaters.
Library Board Chair Tracy Wachmann spoke at the July 13 announcement about the funding, attended by Member of Parliament Patrick Weiler, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy George Heyman, and West Vancouver Mayor Mark Sager.
Patrick Weiler, Member of Parliament for West Vancouver – Sunshine Coast — Sea to Sky Country, on behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities, says, “the West Vancouver Memorial Library is an iconic gathering place and resource in our community, and one of the most frequented libraries in the entire province. The infrastructure funding announced today will ensure the Library continues to be a welcoming and sustainable space for generations to come. Through the upgrade of the heating and ventilation system, we are eliminating the use of fossil fuels and improving energy efficiency. Investing in green community infrastructure projects like this helps us tackle climate change, saves money, and creates healthier and more sustainable spaces for residents to enjoy.”
The Honourable George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, says, “local government partners play a vital role in helping achieve our stringent provincial climate through programs like the CleanBC Communities Fund, which invests in climate resilient public infrastructure. As communities face increased pressure associated with the costs of change, this funding helps communities improve and upgrade municipal and public buildings, reduce overall emissions and ensure protection against the impacts of a changing climate.”
The Honourable Anne Kang, B.C. Minister of Municipal Affairs says, “Having served as a Burnaby Library Trustee, I understand the importance of our local libraries in providing a space for our residents to learn, play, and connect with others. The West Vancouver Memorial Library is a prominent feature of the community and a safe space for all. By investing in infrastructure upgrades like this one, we can ensure that community spaces are protected, sustainable and maintained for generations to come,” says
Mayor Sager says, “West Vancouver District and Memorial Library staff collaborated on this grant application. This teamwork, along with the investment and support from the Government of Canada and Province of British Columbia, is a great example of the change we can implement together.”
Library Director Stephanie Hall adds, “we’re proud of our Library’s longstanding commitment to sustainability, beginning as a staff-led grassroots effort in 2006. After adopting our own Green Buildings Operation Policy in 2009 and becoming the first library in Canada to be awarded LEED Silver certification in 2011, this heating upgrade is the next step of our efforts towards being the most sustainable library we can be—and one that no longer relies on natural gas.”
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On January 17, 2022, the Governments of Canada and Province of British Columbia committed up to $134 million towards the third and final intake of the of the Green Infrastructure – CleanBC Communities Fund (CCF), which is part of the federal government’s Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) to support cost-sharing of infrastructure projects in communities across the province. The program sought eligible infrastructure projects that focus on clean-energy transportation, energy efficiency in buildings, and the generation and management of clean energy. The CleanBC Communities Fund is a collaboration between the BC Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs in close partnership with Infrastructure Canada. Learn more on the Province’s website here.
