On Friday, January 17th Jacob and the team welcomed Maryam Monsef, Member of Parliament for Peterborough-Kawartha, who, on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, highlighted the Government of Canada’s $25,000 contribution through Farm Credit Canada’s AgriSpirit Fund towards the creation of a new Health Centre for Camp Kawartha.
The Health Centre will showcase a number of sustainable elements such as net-zero utility costs, zero toxins, a zero carbon footprint, as well as zero fossil fuel use and zero waste output. The Camp hopes that this will become an inspiring example to the health care community of what a true “healthy Health Centre” can be.
“Camp Kawartha is a leading environmental steward in our community,” said Monsef. “Our government recognizes the importance of sustainable development and supports Camp Kawartha’s innovative vision for their new Health Centre.”
You may know that the current Centre, built in the 1950’s, has a sagging foundation and is in dire need of replacement. The Centre serves as a hub where the Camp’s healthcare team looks after the health needs of campers and staff and acts as extra sleeping quarters throughout the fall, winter and spring. The new Centre will be approximately 1,200 square feet in size and will cost about $325,000.
“Camp Kawartha is thrilled to receive support from Farm Credit Canada’s AgriSpirit Fund for a new Health Centre,” said Jacob Rodenburg, Executive Director of Camp Kawartha. “With this generous contribution we will be able to construct a zero-carbon building, which will allow our healthcare team to look after the well-being of both campers and staff. Not only will this building be an example of sustainable design, it will show the community how nature and buildings can co-exist as spaces that are both healthy for people and the planet.”
The new Centre will be an example of next generation of sustainable architecture. Showcasing the use of natural materials and incorporating natural elements such passive solar design, the Health Centre will:
- Be an example to health professionals of how a Health Centre or Health Clinic can be sustainable and integrate nature into its design.
- Serve as a teaching building for the many guests, campers and participants in Camp Kawartha’s programming. More than 16,000 people attend Camp Kawartha and the Camp Kawartha Environment Centre annually.
- Help campers and students understand carbon-neutral design, carbon sequestration, alternative energy generation, natural building materials, product lifecycle and green waste management systems. The design features will be an integral part of our environmental programming on Sustainable Living and Alternative Energy.
Construction is slated to begin in the fall of 2020 and be completed by June 2021, our 100th anniversary year!
We could use your help! If you would like to make a contribution to this project or if you find out more, please contact Susan at 705.652.3860 ext. 208 or philanthropy@campkawartha.ca
