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Local brownfield workshop and walking tours on April 13

Local brownfield workshop and walking tours on April 13

(March 29, 2011) –The Region of Waterloo is collaborating with the Ontario Centre for Environmental Technology Advancement (OCETA) to host a workshop focused on new approaches and solutions for redeveloping urban properties with environmental impacts.

Known as brownfields, these sites are often located in prime urban areas, but remain empty or underused due to a number of barriers such as the costs associated with cleaning up contamination associated with historic land uses. To address some of these issues, the Region of Waterloo along with the Cities of Cambridge and Kitchener have incentive programs available to encourage redevelopment. In spite of these efforts, redevelopment of brownfields remains challenging. This workshop will bring together local stakeholders with an interest in brownfield redevelopment to discuss brownfield programs, regulatory updates, innovative solutions, funding opportunities, tools, and resources. 

The Practical Workshop for Redevelopment in Waterloo Region will take place April 13, 2011 at the Tannery Event Centre in Kitchener. The workshop will feature two Brownfield Showcase Walking Tours in Kitchener and Cambridge (9 to 10:45 a.m.), followed by a Networking Lunch and an afternoon program featuring local case studies and interactive panel discussions (11:30 am to 5 pm) 

The workshop will be chaired by Tammy Lomas-Jylha, from OCETA and recipient of the 2009 CUI Brownfielder of the Year Award. The welcome address will be given by Kitchener Mayor Carl Zehr, Regional Chair Ken Seiling and Rob Horne, the Region’s Commissioner of Planning, Housing and Community Services. You will hear from expert brownfield stakeholders and practitioners, including Kitchener’s own Terry Boutilier, recipient of the 2010 CUI Brownfielder of the Year Award.  

The workshop fee is $80 plus tax. Space is limited, so please register in advance. For workshop details and online registration, visit www.aboutREMEDIATION.com.  

This event is part of the 2011 Brownfield Series, Practical Workshops for Redevelopment in Canada, presented by OCETA, and carried out with the sponsorship of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities' Green Municipal Fund™, a $550 million endowment created by the Government of Canada.

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For more information, contact:

Brooke Lambert, Principal Planner- Brownfields Coordinator, Region of Waterloo: 519-575-4757 ext. 3113 or blambert@regionofwaterloo.ca

Wayne Coutinho, Project Manager, OCETA: 905-822-4133 ext. 235 (for sponsorship opportunities)