York announces another achievement in sustainability commitment

York University continues to meet its commitment to enhancing the sustainability of built and natural areas on campus, with two more facilities earning a Silver LEED certification.

York Lions Stadium and the Ignat Kaneff Building (home to Osgoode Law Hall School) were officially certificated as green buildings in May 2015. The news was announced during York’s recent Earth Day event by Richard Francki, assistant vice-president, Campus Services and Business Operations. Francki led the effort to secure the LEED Silver Status for the York Stadium and the Ignat Kaneff Building. The effort was supported by a highly committed and dedicated team from Campus Services and Business Operations.

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a rating system that recognizes excellence for green building initiatives. Certification is obtained through independent, third-party analysis, and examines energy efficiency in areas of environmental health.

There are four possible levels of certification – certified, silver, gold and platinum.

Two other York University buildings – the Life Sciences Building and York Research Tower – are hold a LEED Silver certification.

York Lions Stadium
The York Lions Stadium

York Lions Stadium earned the Silver in the LEED category of New Construction and Major Renovations. The stadium, constructed to host the Pan American Games during the summer of 2015, provides students, faculty and the community with a facility for recreation, training and competition.

Construction of the sports facility was designed to minimize the environmental impact on the surrounding historic Boyer Woodlot and the nearby York University Observatory.

According to the LEED certification, York Lions Stadium also incorporated several green building features into its design, including energy efficient lighting, water efficient fixtures and landscaping, access to public transportation, recycled content and regional building materials, and low-emitting building materials.

Osgoode Hall Law School
Osgoode Hall Law School, interior view of the Kaneff Building

The Ignat Kaneff Building earned a Silver in the LEED category of Commercial Interiors. The five-story, 41-year-old building underwent a substantial interior renovation that included the removal of architectural elements as well as mechanical and electrical systems. The project also incorporated a new 2,323-sq.-m addition; a new entrance and façade; and reworking of the existing library.

According to the LEED certification, the facility’s green building features include water-efficient irrigation, access to public transportation and bicycle storage, energy-efficient lighting and HVAC, and the use of recycled, regional and low-emitting building materials.

For more on Sustainability@YorkU visit the website.