Today, more than ever, we must become aware of the needs of the world around us. As natural resources are consumed in great quantities each year, it is quickly becoming apparent that we must do our part to consume as little of these precious resources as possible. From improving indoor air quality to mitigating global climate change – green buildings help people live a more resource-friendly and sustainable lifestyle.
As part of our YMCA Geneva Park Cabin renewal project, we are excited to share that we have partnered with Endeavour, a building school located in Peterborough Ontario, on the construction of new sustainable cabins. Our partnership with Endeavour offers an opportunity for us to build eco-friendly cabins from the ground up – using energy saving designs and planet-friendly building materials. Our goal is to create Canada’s “greenest “camp” community” by replacing the 41 Geneva Park cabins with new ones that meet the highest goals of sustainable green building. In April 2019, we began building a duplex cabin as an example of how the entire Geneva Park community will transform in the coming years.
The new builds will use materials that have minimal ecosystem and climate impact including:
- Environmentally preferred products
- Low emission and non-toxic building materials
- Low carbon footprint
- Energy efficiency – use of renewable energy
The Endeavour design and building team is made up of three instructors and a dedicated group of students from across Canada and around the world, ready to learn about sustainable building projects. The students participate in all aspects of the project construction and also do classroom work to develop their building science knowledge and sustainable design skills.
Our first sustainable facility will be completed by the end of July. Thank you to our community donors who made the cottage build a reality through their generous charitable gifts to the Y.
YMCA Geneva Park has had an immeasurable impact on countless individuals in its century of service to the community. Through the rejuvenation project, our goal is to serve even more youth, families and organizations over the next 100 years. Thank you to our community for your continued support.
To learn more about YMCA Geneva Park, explore volunteer opportunities, or connect with us to help support the Y, visit www.ymcaofsimcoemuskoka.ca.