Case Study: Sherwood Park Gains A Vibrant Sustainable Town Centre

Centre in the Park, a sustainable town centre development, will become the heart of Sherwood Park in Strathcona County near Edmonton. The project represents a long-held desire to create a mixed-use hub for the community featuring residential buildings, a community centre, retail services, walkways, a central plaza and public spaces.

In 2004, Christenson Developments Ltd. was selected to oversee the project's 12-acre residential element, called Festival Estates and Park Vista. "The project represents a unique opportunity wherein sustainable features to promote energy and water conservation and a healthy nvironment are the key long-term values," says Christenson's Development Manager Bard Golightly.

Among the project's many sustainable features is a community energy system constructed to help meet the LEED® Gold standard for environmental, economic and social impacts. Once all buildings are connected to the system, an estimated 1,100 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced and avoided each year. Other innovations include the collection of storm water for irrigation, "green" roofs on some buildings and a 65-foot-wide public walkway. All residential buildings will be constructed to meet the Built Green^TM checklist, promoting energy efficiency while preserving the use of natural resources.

In 2005, the development prototype was showcased as a model community development at a UN conference.