Winery, conservation centre earn environment awards

Southbrook Vineyards and Ball's Falls Centre for Conservation have turned green into gold.

The Niagara-on-the-Lake winery became the first building in Niagara to receive a "gold" certification from the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program this month.

Last week, the new environmental education centre at Ball's Falls Conservation Area also earned a gold nod from LEED, considered the international standard in sustainable architecture.

Sustainability is a core philosophy at the new winery, said director of wine-making Ann Sperling.

"We like that we were able to show leadership," she said, pointing to standout building features like wetland sewage treatment, recycled building materials and use of natural light.

The Centre for Conservation in Lincoln was built to promote environmental conservation, said Tony D'Amario, who heads the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority.

St. Catharines architect Harald Ensslen said the building is designed to showcase wise water use, with features including a collection system for roof run-off, low-flow toilets and an indoor well to monitor water levels.

The Canada Green Building Council administers LEED certification by measuring sustainable architecture criteria like energy and water conservation and use of green building materials.

Southbrook and the Ball's Falls centre are among six gold-certified buildings in Canada. The first LEED-certified building in Canada was Stratus Vineyards in Niagara-on-the-Lake.