LSRCA expands

Authority grows naturally

It will probably be the most environmentally friendly building in the region, but that's only to be expected when it will serve as headquarters for the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority. A sod-turning ceremony for a 17,000-square-foot addition to the authority's Newmarket headquarters -- using the latest in environmentally friendly construction techniques and materials -- was held Tuesday. The siting of what will be new southern and western wings of the building was done to minimize removal of trees and take advantage of the natural sun shade to minimize summer heat retention, said Brian Kemp, the authority's communications manager. "We did have to cut down some trees, but they will be utilized in the construction of the new wings," he said. The $3.6-million addition, which will be completed by October, will also feature geothermal heating, solar energy panels and a "green roof".