The new main branch and head office of Northern Credit Union achieved four of five green globes.
In so doing, it also became a beautiful building filled with environmental and ergonomic features that make it stand out in timeless and comfortable fashion.
At yesterday's ribbon cutting for the new $8-million building, Acting Mayor Susan Myers (shown) congratulated the staff and architects on an outstanding job.
"We've grown, and now with this investment in this facility, it's only going to allow us to continue to grow this business and continue to service Northern Ontario," said President and Chief Executive Officer Al Suraci.
The building houses a new central branch with a drive-up ATM and expanded services.
It's also home to Northern Credit Union's head office and administrative staff, as well as a state-of-the-art training facility and meeting spaces including a new board room.
The IT department is also housed in the space.
The 25,000-square-foot building located on McNabb Street just to the east of the old building features a host of green developments including double-walled technology, lighting systems that are controlled by motion sensors and an H-Vac system for efficient air exchange and climate control.
Two of the most remarkable features are the interior courtyard and the skylight in the bank branch.
The interior courtyard is fully landscaped and accessible to staff through three doors.
It includes four boulders that were placed before the building was built around the courtyard.
The skylight sits atop the centre of the bank branch, bathing it in warm, softly diffused, natural sunlight.
The building has been open for business since August but yesterday was its official ribbon-cutting.
It was open for tours and for a Chamber of Commerce Take Five event after the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
On Thursday (today), staff at the new building is hosting a barbecue and tours for the public.