Coinciding with this year’s Earth Day (April 22) Vandermeer Toyota, located in Cobourg, Ont. was officially certified as a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building. The 22,000 square foot facility, which first opened for business on June 1 last year, was designed from the outset to incorporate a whole host of environmentally friendly features.
In reference to the announcement, Larry Hutchinson, Vice-President, Sales, Toyota Canada Inc., said “Toyota is extremely proud to have its name on the first LEED-certified facility in the community of Cobourg. Vandermeer Toyota joins a growing list of Toyota and Lexus dealerships across Canada that have achieved this important designation, demonstrating the ability to meet the most stringent of environmental standards.”
Hank Vandermeer, Dealer Principal of Vandermeer Toyota, added: “From the moment we decided to move to a new and larger site, we were committed to making green innovation the essence of the facility. We are ecstatic to be giving the people of Cobourg a building that puts our community at the leading edge of environmental sustainability.”
The dealership, located at 959 Division Street in Cobourg, is the fourth Toyota Dealership in Canada to receive the designation. Some of the features incorporated into the dealership include:
- 28% of building materials being made of recycled content, and 40% of the materials sourced regionally;
- 83% of construction waste being diverted from landfill;
- 79% savings of internal potable water use and 100% externally, partly attributable to introducing native and drought-tolerant plant species;
- Sewage conveyance (i.e. toilets and urinals) water savings of 98.5% by using a cistern to capture and use rainwater;
- 93% of the construction wood being certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC);
- Energy cost savings of 45% and consumption savings of 42%, partially achieved through the use of solar panels and skylights;
- Best practices on construction methods, such as an emphasis on pollution prevention;
- Maintaining indoor air quality with a special monitoring system;
- Using environmentally preferred refrigerants and low-emitting materials throughout the building, and initiating a green housekeeping program.
Although the current dealership opened last year and boasts 22 employees, as well as an eight-car showroom, a drive through area that can accommodate up to six vehicles and 9 service bays, Vandermeer Toyota has been serving customers in Cobourg for the past 26 years.
