This summer Art Gibbon Memorial Park will become the site of a new public washroom, but unlike others, it’ll be designed to match the nearby greenery.
“We thought if we can do a really great green design then it would promote building green in the area,” said Dixie Nicks, of the Kootenay/Rockies branch of the Cascadia Green Building Council.
Nicks said the project’s goal is to construct a demonstration net-zero energy building showcasing local, healthy and alternative building materials.
The unique building will feature walls constructed of clay and wood chips, a vegetated roof, covered seating around the exterior and roof-mounted solar panels.
Nicks said the installed solar panels will generate electricity to heat the water, and if the washroom sees heavy use in the summer, they’ll switch to using electricity off the grid.
Construction of the building is to be done by Ellenwood Homes, a local contractor, and local volunteers.
Work is set to begin at the Rosemont park in April and is expected to be complete by September.
Cascadia will be using the project as an educational tool as well and will be inviting people to visit the site throughout construction for workshops.
Those interested can register for seminars and workshops at The Building Tree on Herridge Lane.
