Woodbine Entertainment Group Supports Earth Hour

Woodbine Entertainment Group announced today it will join thousands of organizations and almost a billion people around the world and participate in Earth Hour on Saturday, March 27.

Now in its third year, Earth Hour combines the conservation efforts of a wide range of corporate and government groups, as well as hundreds of millions of citizens, all of whom will turn off their lights and reduce their electricity consumption for 60 minutes from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm.

"We continue to throw our full support behind Earth Hour and the awareness it will create," said Jane Holmes, vice-president of corporate affairs, Woodbine Entertainment. "We will do whatever we can to rein in whatever excess power we can find."

It may seem like business as usual during Saturday night's regular standardbred card under the lights, but nothing could be further from the truth. While the stadium lights remain on to conduct racing safely, behind the scenes, WEG's Director of Infrastructure & Energy Efficiencies, John Marhong, has mapped out a plan that will save about 500,000 watts of electricity.

Woodbine's Earth Hour initiatives will reach this level by eliminating lighting in certain areas of the grandstand and administration areas, and also by lowering air and water temperatures. Woodbine's exterior front sign, one of the two infield LED displays and any other non-essential lighting will also be turned off.

At other WEG properties, such as Greenwood, WEGZ, Turf Lounge and Mohawk, attempts also center around reducing non-essential lighting to a minimum.

Marhong credits Woodbine's Building Automation System for helping to optimize WEG's energy saving strategy. The technology is so intricate that Marhong has the ability to control electric, heating and air conditioning systems inside Woodbine from anywhere he can hook up his laptop computer.

"Earth Hour gives us the opportunity to test our Building Automation System to see what else can be shut down with minimal impact," added Marhong.

It's pivotal to find new ways to improve the system because it puts WEG in a stronger position to respond quickly in the event of a power curtailment.

Since 2006 WEG has invested approximately $1 million dollars a year on green initiatives. In 2009 WEG re-invested $2.3 million in Green Capital Expenditures to ensure responsible energy management and long term sustainability at both its Woodbine and Mohawk racetracks.

"We encourage our employees and customers to consider how their actions effect the environment. We challenge everyone to find ways of reducing the size of the ecological footprint they leave behind," said Holmes.

In upcoming Earth Day events, WEG employees will be showing their support for the environment on April 24, when employees are planting trees at the Partners in Project Green's second Annual Earth Day Tree planting event. On May 1, employees will be picking up trash along the roadways surrounding Mohawk Racetrack in support of the Nassagaweya Clean Up.

Woodbine Goes Red!

This time Woodbine goes red - Massey Ferguson red! Three new tractors will be seen grooming Woodbine's polytrack when the thoroughbred racing season opens on April 2nd.

Massey Ferguson is known to be the most fuel efficient tractor of the major brands. Their smaller engine size provides a more fuel efficient option for the job they are required to do. The extra wide tires minimize compaction which will have a positive impact on track fairness.

Give the Gift of Literacy

The Woodbine Centre (shopping mall) is holding its second annual Community Book Drive next week in support of north Etobicoke public schools.

All March Break week long, from March 13 to 21, donations of gently-used children's and youth books will be accepted at the mall, at 500 Rexdale Blvd. (at Hwy. 27). Those interested are asked to clean out their basements, garages and children's rooms to pass on and share the gift of literacy.

As an incentive, those donating a minimum of three books will receive a free Woodbine Centre re-useable water bottle.

Nosing ahead in the efficiency race

Check out the November/December 2009 issue of Mechanical Business magazine to read how WEG's racetracks find cash savings in building automation systems.

http://www.mechanicalbusiness.com/archives/december_2009/

Celebrate Earth Day - April 24, 2010

Another Earth Day is upon us, and we would like to invite the employees of Woodbine Entertainment Group to celebrate at the Partners in Project Green 2nd Annual Earth Day Tree Planting event.

This fun-filled day will give you the opportunity to lend a hand in restoring the Etobicoke Creek along side other like minded companies in the Pearson Eco-Business Zone.

The event will take place on Saturday, April 24, 2010 along the Etobicoke Creek at Dixie and Derry Roads from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Lunch will be provided.

WEG employees who are interested in volunteering should contact Wendy Loiselle at 416 675 3993 ext.2377 or via Email at wel@woodbineentertainment.com

Pearson Eco-Business Zone Hospitality Sector Consortium - Information Meeting

Pearson Eco-Business Zone Hospitality Consortium - Information Session

Is your business looking for ways to drive down costs and speed up your sustainability
initiatives?

If so the Pearson Eco-Business Zone Hospitality Consortium is the venue
for you. Come to this morning networking session to learn how this group
of hospitality peers can help everyone reduce costs, while greening the
airport hospitality strip.

This morning networking session will include:

An overview of the Pearson Eco-Business Zone Hospitality Consortium; Information on how your organization can become a member; Details on how you can reduce your costs; and,
highlights on local companies who are turning green into cost savings and
new clients.

• Highlights from Local Sustainability Leaders:
  
• Woodbine Entertainment Group's sustainability initiatives have saved them
  an estimated $475,000 annually in energy costs.
  
• Hilton Garden Inn Toronto Airport built Canada?s first new-build hotel
  through the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green
  building certification program.
  
• The International Centre has developed a comprehensive Corporate
  Sustainability initiative which has resulted in hundreds of businesses
  aligning with its program and booking their events in its CSR-focused
  event venue.
  
  Event details are as follows:
  Date: Wednesday March 24, 2010
  Time: 8:30 a.m. ? 12:00 p.m.
  Location: International Centre, 6900 Airport Road, Mississauga
  Directions: http://www.internationalcentre.com/maps-and-directions
  
• For further information, please contact Jennifer Taves at 416-661-6600,
  extension 5570 or email jtaves@trca.on.ca.
  To register please visit:
  http://www.partnersinprojectgreen.com/
  
  
  
  

Partners in Project Green launches Cool Rexdale

Partners in Project Green launches Cool Rexdale - a program to boost the local economy and create green jobs


This article can be found on the Partners in Project Green website thru the following link http://www.partnersinprojectgreen.com/news-and-media/269-partners-in-project-green-launches-cool-rexdale-a-program-to-boost-the-local-economy-and-create-green-jobs

Partners in Project Green today announced the launch of Cool Rexdale, a new program that will help to improve the economic, social and environmental vitality of Rexdale, one of Toronto’s priority neighborhoods. The eco-roof program encourages local businesses to save energy and green their bottom line by installing green or cool roofs. In turn, the program will create the opportunity for local youth to start a career in the eco-roof industry.

Cool Rexdale provides full-service support including access to superior roofing systems, financial assistance through the City of Toronto’s Eco-Roof Incentive Program and discounted eco-building materials through the Clinton Climate Initiative Purchasing Alliance. Cool Rexdale is a partnership between Toronto and Region Conservation (TRCA), Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA), Woodbine Entertainment Group, City of Toronto, Semple Gooder Inc., and Sheet Metal Workers’ and Roofers’ Local Union 30.

The program also aims to connect Rexdale youth to green jobs. Together, Semple Gooder, Toronto Employment and Social Services, and other community partners will recruit and train new pre-apprentice roofers, while the Union will provide safety training and help to integrate youth into the roofing industry. An information session for youth will be held on February 8 at 6 p.m. at Elmbank Community Centre, 10 Rampart Road.

“This partnership is a wonderful example of the difference we can make when we all work together,” says Toronto Mayor David Miller. “Rexdale has a high concentration of large flat roofs that tend to absorb sunlight and heat, which is a particular concern as global temperatures rise. By encouraging businesses to go green, we can address this challenge, create green jobs, reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, and beautify our city.”

Cool Rexdale builds upon the City of Toronto’s Eco-Roof Incentive Program that is designed to promote the use of green and cool roofs on Toronto’s commercial, industrial and institutional buildings. Cool and green roofs can help businesses reduce their heating and cooling costs and extend the life of their roofs. Green roofs, which support rooftop vegetation, also help clean our air, enhance biodiversity and retain storm water and its pollutants.

“We are very excited to be associated with Cool Rexdale”, said Jane Holmes, Vice President Corporate Affairs, Woodbine Entertainment Group, a key partner in providing funding to get the program started. “We’re proud to be involved with such an elite partnership group, and such a unique program that not only champions environmental sustainability, but does so in a way that helps the youth from this community get valuable hands-on job training in the green economy. To further support our commitment to Cool Rexdale and the emerging eco-roofing industry, I’m pleased to announce that Woodbine will include cool roof specifications in all its future roofing tenders.”

The community of Rexdale is a natural partner for the program because it is a priority neighbourhood situated next to the Pearson Eco-Business Zone and is also home to the Rexdale Business Park which features more than 1,400 businesses employing more than 46,000 workers.

“The GTAA is proud to be partnering with the TRCA on this worthwhile initiative” says Toby Lennox, Vice-President of Corporate Affairs and Communications at the GTAA. “The Cool Rexdale program will allow other companies to easily gain the same advantages that the GTAA has in our Fire Emergency Services and Training Institute, which features a green roof. This program is excellent for all involved and we will look to partner with the Rexdale community on future eco-roof opportunities for our buildings.”

“The Cool Rexdale Program is exciting because it helps businesses realize the financial benefits of reduced energy costs, while having a positive impact on the environment, and ensuring that local residents share in the benefits of the emerging green economy,” said Brian Denney, CAO, Toronto and Region Conservation.