Current News
A proposal for adding green roof elements to the mid rise roof and replacing our existing patio area is being brought to the GMM on March 21, 2013 for a decision.
The Environment Committee is proposing that additional funding be approved now, for the green roof on the west side of the building, so that work can be done in conjunction with the base roof replacement.
This would mean at least part of the green roof could be in place by this summer.
The proposal for the GMM includes:
- meadow gardens of Soprema Taiga System alternating with deeper planter gardens, where building load permits, over the west side of the roof. Some of the planter gardens would be allocated for member use.
- replacement of a trellis for the patio area, across the width of the building, north to south, using eastern white cedar as designed by Tafler Rylett.
- outdoor furniture including several lounge chairs and six table and chair sets.
The base roof replacement starting in April 2013, includes the replacement of the patio stones, in the same area that they currently cover. Several planters with shrubs are being kept through the construction, but not much else.
If the members do not approve funding for the green roof in March 2013, the earliest any further work will start is the fall of 2013 and that is likely dependent on success of grant applications.
We have applied to the Trillium Foundation for $150,000 in capital funding for the green roof and the environment committee is investigating other funding options. We will not hear until at least July if we are successful. If the members approve the funding for the west side of the roof, and we do get additional funding from grants, we would use the money to add green roof elements to the east side of the roof, which are estimated to cost $100,000.
Additional Background
In May 2012 the members passed a motion to investigate a green roof for the replacement of the mid rise roof. Since then the environment committee and the board have worked with architects Cathy Tafler and Doug Rylett to guide us through a number of steps.
First the original engineers, who worked on the design and construction of Woodsworth, were contacted to determine the load capabilities of the roof. We learned that:
- the common area space, where the patio is now, can not be increased.
- most of the roof does not have the load capacity to support “assembly occupancy” by groups of people.
- access of a few people at a time for gardening in other areas is fine.
- the roof will support green roof elements, including: “meadow” plantings, with a planting medium depth of 6 inches, on both east and west sides of the building, and deeper gardens, with a planting medium depth of 10-12 inches , suitable for flowers or vegetables, located over the shear walls between the units below. There would be room for 3 of the deeper planter gardens, each up to 4 feet wide, on the west side of the building and 4 or 5 on the east side.
Next the board explored options for a project manager and decided to work with consultants from IRC, a building engineering firm that specializes in roofing. Their role includes helping to specify the tender documents and to oversee the construction by being on site every day to make sure the job is completed correctly. After inspecting the roof, they suggested an alternate to full replacement, which would add extra insulation and a new membrane over the existing insulation. The Board agreed to go ahead with this approach, which cost less.
Tender documents were prepared in October and 4 roofing contractors put in bids. The tender included several options including one to start construction in the spring. The spring option turned out to be less expensive and preferred by the contractors, largely because the days are longer and it will allow the crews to get more work done each day, which will make the construction period shorter. Flynn Canada had the lowest bid and are contracted to do the work. The base roof refurbishment is scheduled to begin in April 2013.
Despite the cost efficiencies of the method and timing chosen the tender came in at more than expected, and does not leave any money in the allocated budget for green roof elements.
The environment committee held an information session in February and conducted a survey to get members’ input. 87 members responded and almost everyone plans to use the rooftop space in the future. Over half of the members who responded expressed interest in gardening on the rooftop.