A child-care centre that's part of the UniverCity development on Burnaby Mountain has been singled out as the first zero-footprint centre of its kind in the world. Yes, you read right - the world.
On June 10, the City of Burnaby will give SFU Community Trust a 2012 Environment Award for the child-care centre. SFU Community Trust is the driving force behind the UniverCity development.
"This award is a welcome recognition for the work that we are trying to do on Burnaby Mountain," said SFU Community Trust president Gordon Harris in a press release.
The child-care centre met the Living Building Challenge, which sets the bar high with some of the most stringent green building standards in the world.
The centre generates more energy and collects more water than it uses, and everything was built with local, non-toxic materials. The extra energy goes back on the grid for use in the community, and the wastewater is treated and used onsite but isn't drinkable.
One might think such a green building would cost a fortune to construct, but not so according to Julia Waring, communications manager with SFU Community Trust.
"Actually, it cost between 15 to 20 per cent less than child-care centres being built in the region without all the green features," she said.
The child-care centre opened April 2. Priority is given to UniverCity residents, but there is a wait-list. For more, go to univercity.ca.
NEIGHBOURHOOD CLEANUP
Connections Coffee House is hosting a community cleanup on Saturday, June 16.
Connections Coffee House is a volunteer-run, non-profit café backed by a local church.
They serve good coffee at ridiculously low prices, but their real goal is to provide a space for the community to connect.
To get involved with the cleanup, meet outside of the café at 5063 Anola Dr. (in the Brentwood area) on June 16 at 10: 30 a.m. Gloves and garbage bags will be provided.
Volunteers will break into different teams and clean up the neighbourhood, and afterwards, Connections will provide free food and beverages.
To get involved, you need to RSVP by Wednesday, June 13, so they know how much food to buy. Call Sue From at 604-298-2117.
CAR SHOW
Willingdon Church is hosting a car show on June 9, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The show is free, and there will be some high-end Porsches, custom fourby-fours, and some Chip Foose-designed cars on display. We've also been told that there will be a bit of a demo, involving fourby-fours "driving up on things."
The church is at 4812 Willingdon Ave.
FREE SCREENING
Have you spent too much time in the sun or made too many visits to the tanning salon?
Now's your chance to get screened for skin cancer. The Canadian Dermatology Association and Vancouver dermatologists are hosting a free skin-cancer screening on Wednesday, June 13.
The event takes place at Bonsor Recreation Complex, from noon to 3 p.m. The screenings are on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, go to www.dermatol ogy.ca.
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In my last column on June 6, I mentioned Car Free Day Vancouver is on Saturday, June 17. It's actually Sunday, June 17. Apologies for any confusion.
Send items to jmoreau@ burnabynow.com.
