The Nelson Civic Centre is getting a substantial upgrade to improve energy efficiency, decrease climate pollution and improve the comfort and lifespan of the building.
“Heritage buildings like the Nelson Civic Centre are part and parcel to the cultural fabric of our communities,” said the Hon. Harjit Sajjan, federal Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, on behalf of the Hon. Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities. “These upgrades will extend its lifespan, ensuring this striking art deco structure can continue to serve Nelson residents for generations to come.”
Through an investment from the CleanBC Communities Fund, the Civic Centre’s auditorium will receive energy-efficient upgrades to the building envelope, roof, windows, doors and mechanical systems. Currently, the facility’s concrete walls have no insulation, the roof structure has minimal insulation, and the air-handling units are outdated, providing air circulation to only some areas of the building.
“We’re working to improve an important community resource by making it more energy efficient and a better, more comfortable space for visitors,” said George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. “The Civic Centre is the city of Nelson’s highest-emitting building and requires a significant energy retrofit to bring it to a modern standard. By working with the city and the federal government, we’re accelerating the shift away from fossil fuels toward a net-zero-emissions future and supporting local jobs in the clean economy.”
The building’s exterior walls will be enveloped with an insulated, high-efficiency skin that will reduce energy requirements and protect deteriorating concrete from freeze-thaw cycles. Energy-recovery ventilators and a heat-recovery chiller will provide heating and cooling capacity, reducing dependency on fossil fuels.
The CleanBC Communities Fund is part of the CleanBC Roadmap to 2030, the Province’s plan to expand and accelerate climate action by building on B.C.’s natural advantages – abundant and clean electricity, innovative technology and a highly skilled workforce. It sets a path for increased collaboration to build a British Columbia that works for everyone.
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