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Green roof has many benefits Gardening program coming this spring continued from p.14 One of the benefits "from a business perspective," Mercer said, is insulation properties, which will help reduce the school's electricity and heating costs during the winter and summer. "It has air-cleansing properties not only for us, but the neighbouring communities, as well. It also offers a habitat for insects and (birds), which provides benefits to the community," said Mercer. Another bonus to having a green roof will be the appearance, as Govers noted the supplied plant mix will have three major phases of flowering during the summer -- white, yellow and pink/red. "It will retain significant foliage colour well into the winter, when not covered in snow. The pitched nature of this roof, and the view that it will give, will delight both the occupants and the people passing by," said Govers. The green roof wasn't the only environmentally-friendly component to Clanmore's recent upgrades -- trees cut during construction were reused to create "natural benches for the playground and natural tables for indoors," Mercer explained. "We wanted to use that wood in any way possible and incorporate it sentimentally into the new design. When a tree comes down, it doesn't mean we're going to waste it. We're sad we had to lose the tree, but we created something from that," said Mercer. Along with a green roof, new additions to the school included a gym and a second kitchen for Clanmore's catered lunch program. "The second kitchen will allow us to do cooking throughout the day with children in small groups as the need arises," said Mercer. The renovations link the original farmhouse the school was established in and the modern building, she said, adding its design looks like an "Ontario barn." "The school originally opened in this location in 1997 and was renovated to accommodate the expansion. We needed more room so we built an addition onto the original farmhouse," said Mercer. While the green roof is vegetation-only, Mercer noted Clanmore will offer groundlevel gardening this spring as part of its curriculum. "The owners of the school are very sensitive to the natural environment and they wanted to offer a forward-thinking, environmentallysensitive building," said Mercer. "We want the students to be aware of the roof (because) we are a school that sets the tone for the future of the children who are educated here." 15 | Wednesday, March 26, 2014 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com plus W! NE Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place April 3 to 6 + 19 preview party April 3rd, 6pm-10pm VIP Limited Tickets available ONLINE! WINE COUNTRY Visit the Festival for a chance to win a trip to Europe courtesy of Air Transat Try great Ontario VQA wines at the Wine Country Ontario wine truck FOOD TRUCKS Chow down at 8 of the cities'hottest Food Trucks! COCKTAIL DEEVA Chef demos and new recipe ideas at the Taste Culinary Stage featuring a line-up of celebrity & local chefs Dee Brun on stage Thursday at the VIP Preview Party Cocktail Deeva, Join The Take a seat for the Creemore Springs Beer Seminar. Find out what makes this brew one of Ontario's best. BEER SEMINAR Thursday 6pm-10pm · Friday Noon-9pm · Saturday 10am-9pm · Sunday 10am-5pm www.goodfoodanddrinkfestival.com GoodFoodandDrinkFestival GoodFoodDrinkTO A DIVISION OF 2014 Nutrition & Wellness Expo SATURDAY, APRIL 26, 2014 · 10 a.m. ­ 4 p.m. at The Hamilton Spectator (44 Frid St., Hamilton, ON) This exciting event puts you in touch with a variety of experts in the nutrition and wellness industry who will be offering products, education and fun in a wide scope of topics including fitness, nutrition, lifestyle, alternative therapies, environmentally friendly household cleaning products, and more. With almost 40 exhibitors, food demos and our interactive open forum plan to spend some time during to be inspire and motivate you throughout your journey to health. "Developing a local food system in Hamilton ­ sustainable-affordable-attainable?" Featuring Guests Panelists: Chris Krucker ­ Manorun Organic Farms Damian Wills ­ Mustard Seed Cooperative Grocery Dr. Melissa Lee, ND ­ Waterdown Clinic of Naturopathic Medicine Ken Lefebour ­ Nellie James Gourmet to Go Karen Burson ­ Environment Hamilton Good Food Box Admission: $4 Available at the door, Includes Open Forum ­ FREE PARKING! ($2.00 to SpecKids Unlimited) For more information www.thespec.com/nutritionandwellness or 905-526-3457 8086-01