An education on green construction: Construction on Sault's first zero-energy building to start this fall.

• Author: Helwig, David
• Position: SAULT STE. MARIE REPORT

Construction on Sault College's new $1.8-million waterfront and tennis centre is expected to start this fall after the local committee of adjustment approved needed variances from the city's zoning bylaw in September.

Architect David Ellis said existing structures on the McPhail Ave. property were dangerously dilapidated and were demolished over the summer.

Because the old structures made direct contact with the St. Marys River, Fisheries and Oceans Canada insisted the demolition work be done in just four weeks from mid-July to mid-August, Ellis told the committee.

"The new building will not physically touch the water," Ellis said. "We're actually building it on piles and cantilevering it out over the water so we don't touch the water at all."

Failing to start construction this fall could place project funding in jeopardy, Ellis said.

The new 5,000-square-foot building will consist of a boat-launching and storage/repair facility as well as a multi-purpose building with a kitchen and a 210-degree view of the waterfront.

In addition to tennis, sailing, canoeing and kayaking, the facility will be used by Sault College's hospitality and outdoors programs.

"We have the exact same gross floor area as the building that was demolished," Ellis told the committee.

"Unfortunately, the building that was demolished had a footprint that was slightly smaller because it was two storeys. Nowadays we have accessibility issues. We don't want a two-storey building...