News
September 24, 2010
Evergreen Brick Works, Canada’s First Community Environmental Centre, Opens in Toronto
TORONTO, ON (Sept. 25, 2010) – Evergreen Brick Works officially opens its doors today in Toronto as Canada’s first community environmental centre.
After eight years of dreaming, designing and building, the transformation of the historic Don Valley Brick Works is now a reality. Evergreen Brick Works is a place for people to share ideas and explore best practices related to sustainability. In addition to revitalizing the heritage buildings, Evergreen’s headquarters in the newly constructed Centre for Green Cities is designed to become LEED Platinum certified.
It will be a venue where we will explore and address the global issues that we all face, including the green economy, urban ecology, transportation, water, energy, waste management, agriculture and food, building design and land-use planning. The site’s use of a wide range of green technologies will help make it a national hub for urban sustainability.
For the family and community, Evergreen Brick Works will offer year-round programs and activities that include a sustainable garden centre, a farmers’ market, demonstration gardens, and kitchens, conference and event facilities, youth leadership and children’s camps, community bike space, family programming and programs for youth.
MP Paul Calandra, on behalf of the Government of Canada:
“Our government is investing in the people, businesses and communities of southern Ontario to create jobs and fuel economic growth. Our support for this project means that families and future generations in Toronto will have a place where they can come together to experience wilderness in the city and learn about the environment.”
Glen Murray, Ontario’s Minister of Research and Innovation:
“Globally speaking, the best of innovation and leadership can be found in a project such as Evergreen Brick Works. From contractors keen to explore energy-efficient building techniques to dedicated teachers working with nature to engage our youth, Evergreen Brick Works has all the elements that point the way to a sustainable future.”
Mayor David Miller:
"Torontonians are environmentalists by nature and our City has a reputation around the world as being a place of progress and excellence when it comes to environmental matters. The incredible Evergreen Brick Works project is yet another example of how we are helping Torontonians to become even greener while meeting our city building goals."
Geoff Cape, executive director of Evergreen:
“This ambitious project could never have been achieved without the support from all levels of government, the corporate and NGO sectors and visionaries. It was built for the community and we are looking forward to see the site become even more animated with the help of our partners.”
To date, the Evergreen Brick Works $55 million capital campaign has raised $46.5 million. The Government of Canada has contributed $20 million through the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund and the Government of Ontario has committed $10 million.
About Evergreen
Evergreen is a not-for-profit organization that makes cities more livable. By deepening the connection between people and nature, and empowering Canadians to take a hands-on approach to their urban environments, Evergreen is improving the health of our cities—now and for the future. Since 1991, it has engaged people in creating and sustaining healthy, dynamic outdoor spaces across Canada—in schools, communities and homes. Its entrepreneurial approach to social responsibility creates vibrant neighbourhoods, a healthy natural environment and a sustainable society for all.
Evergreen Brick Works
Evergreen is restoring Toronto’s derelict Don Valley Brick Works to its proper place at the centre of the city’s future. By revitalizing and reusing historic buildings and offering programming focused on education, heritage and ecological sustainability, Evergreen Brick Works will be an environmental community centre in the heart of the Toronto ravine system. Its use of a wide range of green technologies will make it a national hub for urban sustainability. With the Grand Opening scheduled September 25 and 26, the site will be animated with year-round programs and activities that include a sustainable garden centre, a farmers’ market, demonstration gardens, and kitchens, conference and event facilities, youth leadership and children’s camps, community bike space, family programming and programs for youth.
Evergreen Brick Works is a triple-bottom line project of Evergreen, Canada’s national charity dedicated to bringing nature into public spaces, schools and homes.
To date, the Evergreen Brick Works $55 million capital campaign has raised $46.5 million. Both the federal and provincial governments have supported the project donating $20 million and $10 million respectively.
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For more information, to arrange interviews or speak with an Evergreen spokesperson, please contact:
Anthony Westenberg / Matthew Church
Evergreen Communications
416-596-1495 x332
awestenberg@evergreen.ca / mchurch@evergreen.ca
