Transit depot receives $8M from Federation of Canadian Municipalities

Waterloo region has received $8 million from the federallyfunded Federation of Canadian Municipalities to expand its transit depot at 250 Strasburg Road in Kitchener.

The funding through FCM's Green Municipal Fund was announced on April 22 by FCM's president Clark Somerville, along with funding for 10 other municipalities.

"These projects prove beyond a doubt that collaboration brings positive change for our communities," Somerville said in a press release.

"The financing and knowledge provided by FCM's Green Municipal Fund lay the foundations to build cities and communities that are more environmentally, socially and economically sustainable."

Energy cost savings

The region has alreadyreceived its FCM funding in two parts: A $500,000 grant and a $7.5 million loan.

When the transit depot was expanded to accommodate a fleet of 250 buses, the 110,000-square-foot building was awarded a gold standard in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).

"We are very proud of its green design and energy-efficient technologies,"region chair Ken Seilingsaidin a press release.

According to the region, the new building has resulted in energy cost savings of 73.9 per cent.