We're excited to announce our newest partners. The Region of Peel is a Diamond level sponsor. The Canadian National Shelter Program (CNSP) is the latest Platiunum sponsor, contributing labour and equipment for the construction of the BIPV-T Test Hut and Solar Cottage refurbishment. Filtrexx is our latest Gold level sponsor, contributing erosion and sediment control products for construction. Wamco is the latest Silver sponsor providing piping materials for the infrastructure.

Construction of the Park’s infrastructure will begin this fall.  Serviced lots are anticipated to be ready by Fall 2016. Stay tuned for updates on construction progress!

Designs can be viewed at the links below:

• Site Plan
• Electrical layout
• Sanitary/potable water system
• District geothermal system
• Gas line layout
• Grading plan
• Stormwater management report

TRCA is looking for construction material donors to help refurbish a children's education cottage at The Living City Campus. The cottage is used for educational programming related to energy sustainability and conservation and engages approximately 60,000 students and visitors each year. We would love to have you as part of the project and recognize you for your contribution to the community! Please contact Amanda Yip at ayip@trca.on.ca if interested.

Construction is underway for the building integrated photovoltaic/thermal (BIPV-T) test hut. This project, in partnership with Ryerson University, will demonstrate BIPV-T and integration with other energy systems. Special thanks to our industry partners Amvic, Upanor, Lafarge, Armtec, and DuROCK, for making this project possible. More information about the project can be found here.

Join us for the innagural 2015 STEP Summit. This year's theme is "Increasing Energy Efficiency Through Systems Integration". Join TRCA and industry experts November 23 at the Kortright Visitor's Centre for a day of networking and information sharing. We have an exciting group of speakers lined up for this event. Registration details will be available soon.

On August 25, we held our first build partner design charrette with Del Ridge Homes/Greenlife Condos. Thank you to all our attendess. A summary report of the day's discussion will be completed in the next few weeks. Special thanks to Sustainable.TO for facilitiating and Enbridge for sponsoring the event.

Biodiversity targets have been set for the Park. Each demonstration plot will feature different biodiversity themes related to the design theme of the building. To view the biodiversity targtes, click here.

The Living City Campus has been selected as a test site for the Vaughan International Commercialization Centre (VICC). The VICC will provide access to diverse commercialization capabilities with local and international partners. The VICC will be significant in driving Vaughan’s economic growth thru technological innovation, utilizing the region’s expertise to access local, national, and international markets. The VICC will complement and enhance the Innovation Park, which is targeting the commercialization of Canadian products in the sustainable construction sector.

STEP released their inaugural Powerlines newsletter this past spring. The biannual newsletter will highlight all renewable energy related research, programs, and initiatives. Read the first newsletter here.

BRE’s flagshop park in Watford is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. BRE recently held an event to celebrate as well as officially launch the international BRE Innovation Parks Network. To find out more about the parks in England, Scotland, China, and  Brazil, click here to see their new website.

Thank you to everyone who attended this year's Industry and Research Appreciation Day BBQ June 25. We had over 150 people enjoy some food, sunshine, and electric vehicles! Special thanks to Plug'nDrive, Toronto Hybrid & Electric Car Group, Stefan Schader, Lelia Mireskandari, Jose Etcheverry, David Nixon, and Svend de Bruyn for bringing their electric vehicles to the event.

Attend the Green Building Festival October 1 in Toronto, Canada’s most comprehensive conference on green building design, operations, technologies, and materials. Hear from today's leading practitioners on community-scale planning and development for a more resilient urban landscape. Only $149 for a limited time. Register today!

We have an exciting line-up of educational opportunities for 2015. Below is our list of summer and fall offerings:

Renewable Energy

• Solar and Wind Energy Electric System Introduction Nov. 28
• Off Grid and Emergency Back Up Systems Nov. 29
• Photovoltaic Commissioning - online course - coming soon - join the waiting list!
• Photovoltaic Operation & Maintenance - online course - Available Now!

Water

• Low Impact Development - Design of Infiltration Practices Sept. 28
• Low Impact Development – Construction, Inspection & Maintenance Training Sept. 29
• Low Impact Development – Site Tour Sept. 30
• Webinar: Clarifying TRCA Expectations for Detailed Erosion and Sediment Control Plans - Oct. 15
• Certified Inspector of Sediment and Erosion Control Nov. 4-5
• Erosion and Sediment Control Installer - Accredited Professional Program Nov. 24-25
• Webinar: Soil Risk Assessment Tool - Dec. 3
• TRIECA Conference March 23-24, 2016
• Design of Infiltration Practices: Low Impact Development Technical Training - online course
• Introduction to Low Impact Development - online course
• Polymers for Construction Site Erosion and Sediment Control - online course
• Introduction to Erosion and Sediment Control - online course

Sustainable Design and Construction

• 10-Day Oassive House Design and Consturction Course - Oct. 27 - Nov.13

Sustainable Living

• Natural, Non-toxc Eco-paints - Sept. 19
• Webinar: Healthy Home Part 1: Get to Know How a House Works - Oct. 20
• Webinar: Healthy Home Part 2: How to Change Your House in a Way That's Healthy for Humans and the Planet: from small changes to major renovations - Oct 21

TRCA and The Living City Campus is seeking industry support primarily through in-kind contributions of services, materials and construction labour for the build out of the infrastructure and demonstration buildings. In addition to basic construction materials we are looking for innovative products that will assist us in meeting the performance standards and development briefs for the Park, including:

• Recycled aggregates and products
• Water, stormwater and wastewater technologies
• Hard surfacing and landscaping
• Energy network infrastructure
• Low carbon technologies
• Offsite manufactured building systems
• Renewable technologies
• High performance windows and doors
• Advanced insulation
• Low embodied energy products
• High performance/low energy heating and ventilation systems and controls
• Refurbishment products and technologies
• Innovative construction practices
• Products that improve health and wellbeing in buildings

If you or your organization would like to get involved, please complete the Expression of Interest form. Sponsorships and in-kind donations may be eligible for tax receipts.

A list of all the Innovation Park sponsors can be found here.