Government grants push project ahead

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Eight storeys above Ontario Street the community of the Hugh Garner Housing Co-operative is turning gravel and concrete slabs from grey to green.

The co-op's two roofs, totalling 22,000 square feet, are well on their way to becoming what Eleanor McDonald described as "the largest residential green roof in Canada."

McDonald is part of the co-op's green committee, which has been working since 2003 on environmental initiatives at the building. An environmental policy was adopted and an environmental retrofit is currently being done. The work began on the green roof in 2005.

At the beginning it was a struggle to convince members to get on board with the idea. While green roofs have a multitude of environmental benefits (attracting birds and bees, absorbing rain water, and lowering energy costs by helping cool an area in the summer and providing additional insulation in the winter) and last two to three times longer than conventional roofs, they also cost nearly twice as much.

Beata Domanska said many people didn't even know what they were talking about when they said 'green' roof.

"When you said green roof they thought it meant painting the roof green," she said. "We had to do a lot of education."

When it came time to put the idea to the test, the membership voted unanimously in favour of a green roof. But, that wasn't the end of the struggle, with such a large surface area the roof came with a $1.2 million price tag.

The committee set about fundraising and with the help of individual donors, corporate sponsorship and funding from foundations such as the Ontario Trillium Foundation they were able to complete Phase 1 of the project, which put in the necessary base and infrastructure for the roof. Phase 2 will see the south roof completed (with work hopefully to begin in the summer). Its fundraising received a boost last week with the announcement of a $150,000 grant from Live Green Toronto.

"It's wonderful the city has taken this on," Domanska said, adding capital grants are difficult to get.

The grants are a part of the city's Live Green Toronto program, which was launched last year to engage the public in taking action on climate change at home, work and on the road. Almost $700,000 was awarded to 14 groups for a variety of community-based projects, which include renewable energy initiatives, local food production, green roofs and more. In addition to the funding programs, Live Green Toronto offers a one-stop website with rebates, tips and resources to help Torontonians live green.

The co-op's green committee could give tips of its own. The members are avid recyclers, there is composting on the roof (and the end product is used to fertilize the plants grown in barrels on the roof by the garden committee), and the retrofit will result in energy savings and a reduction in water usage.

"It's something I've become very passionate about," Domanska said. She and the committee all volunteer their time to make the green roof and other initiatives happen.

The south roof will be mostly covered in vegetation, but it will also feature an accessible gazebo, pathways and seating for all residents to enjoy. The north roof, which will be done in Phase 3, is not accessible to members. It will be an extensive roof and feature a drainage system that will allow overflow from storms to cascade down onto the pavilion roof and then onto the south roof creating a wet-dry stream.

Together the roof and stream (and the view of downtown) will provide a picturesque place for members. The south roof is accessible to residents for picnics, socializing, anniversary parties or memorial services.

"It's our community centre in a way," McDonald said.

To which Domanska added, "And now we'll have a park."