Category — In the Media

Gaineys fund children’s environment centre
Gainey Foundation gives Camp Kawartha $100,000 for facility to be built at Trent University

January 30, 2009

The Gainey Foundation chose a self-sustainable environmental education centre for children in Peterborough as its first major project in Canada, Bob Gainey and his daughter, Anna, announced at Trent University yesterday.

Fleming College sustainable building program students will build the Camp Kawartha Environment Centre on Trent University property. The Gainey Foundation has provided $100,000 to help pull together the partnership.

This partnership brings together pillars in the community such as Camp Kawartha, Fleming and Trent, said Gainey, the general manager of the Montreal Canadiens.

“The other very important part of this partnership was the community of Peterborough, which has supported us so strongly, particularly in our endeavours to raise money in our first evening with the Gaineys (concert and fundraiser),” he said.

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Camp Kawartha Environment Centre in Lakefield, Ontario is sustainable building in action

February 12, 2009

The new Camp Kawartha Environment Centre aims to be a groundbreaking environmental education facility for students, teachers and its builders all learning about sustainable buildings.

“The building itself becomes a teaching building and a practical tool for kids to feel, bear witness and see sustainable buildings in action,” said Jacob Rodenburg, executive director of Camp Kawartha. “We hope it will also serve as a model for other universities and plant the seed concerning sustainable buildings and living.”

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Bob Gainey and his daughter Anna, Executive Director of the Gainey Foundation, announce funding for the new Camp Kawartha Environment Centre

Bob Gainey and his daughter Anna, Executive Director of the Gainey Foundation, announce funding for the new Camp Kawartha Environment Centre.

Students in Fleming College’s Sustainable Building Design and Construction program will build a new environment centre for Camp Kawartha that will be funded by the Gainey Foundation.

The Camp announced on January 29 that – thanks to a $100,000 gift from the Gainey Foundation – one of Canada’s most sustainable buildings will be constructed to house the new Camp Kawartha Environment Centre; a groundbreaking environmental education and teacher training facility that will be hosted at Trent University.

“This project is a fitting opportunity for us to acknowledge the incredible support the Gainey Foundation has received in Peterborough and the surrounding area,” said Bob Gainey. “We are proud to be a part of this strong community partnership and to help realize a unique and exciting environmental centre that will benefit and inspire children, educate and train future teachers and serve as an example as to how we can all live more sustainably.”

Sustainable Building Program Coordinator Chris Magwood shows the model of the building

In December, Trent University’s Board of Governors approved a 21-year land lease, which secures the plan for a new “green” structure to be built on the university’s grounds.

The project will start in April 2009. Using innovative green architecture, the design will incorporate: reclaimed and recyclable building materials, an earth-bag foundation, straw bale walls, solar power, a rainwater collection system, and composting toilets.

The facility will serve not only as a place to offer relevant and curriculum-linked environmental programming, but the building itself will also provide rich educational opportunities for children, teachers, students in Trent’s School of Education and Professional Learning and the community at large.

“Children and adults alike need to bear witness to how we can all live more gently and responsibly in our communities. To see alternative energy in action, to be inspired by the natural world and to provide children with the hope for a greener future, is one of the most valuable tasks we can embark on,” said Camp Kawartha Executive Director Jacob Rodenburg.

Led by Program Coordinator Chris Magwood, this is the fifth year of the Sustainable Building program. It is a 20-week certificate program based at the Haliburton Campus.

Camp Kawartha still needs to raise an additional $80,000 to $100,000 for the project. They are launching a buy-a-bale program and are accepting donations for the project. For more information, visit: http://www.campkawartha.ca/

Fleming College President Dr. Tony Tilly

Mr. Magwood unveils the architectural drawings of the centre

Mr. Magwood discusses the building's features with Mr. Gainey

President Tilly and Trent University's Dianne Lister speak with Bob and Anna Gainey following the announcement

Fleming Board of Governors Chair Murray Rodd and Duplicating Services' Warren Craft, who serves on the board of Camp Kawartha

Haliburton Campus Principal Sandra Dupret and Ted Brandon, Training Officer, speak with Mr. Gainey