Municipal District of Bighorn, AB — Today, the Government of Canada and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities announced the Municipal District of Bighorn No. 8’s new net-zero operations facility, made possible with a $10.8 million federal investment. Located just outside Exshaw, Alberta, this facility will house Bighorn’s Operational Services – including the departments of Public Works, Roads, and Agriculture, Environment and Parks – while significantly reducing the municipality’s energy consumption and environmental impact.
The Municipal District was joined by Mike Yargeau, on behalf of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM). Councillor, Reeve Lisa Rosvold and Shaina Kelly, Chief Administrative Officer, were on site representing the district.
The Municipal District of Bighorn received funding from the Government of Canada through FCM’s Green Municipal Fund to support the construction of the facility, including a grant of $1.4 million and a loan of $9.4 million. The Green Municipal Fund helps Canadian cities and communities of all sizes undertake sustainability projects that reduce emissions, accelerate energy savings, and keep energy dollars in the community.
The 13,164-ft² facility achieves net-zero carbon and net-zero energy use thanks to integrated design features that produce as much energy as is used.
The facility has solar panels mounted on the main building roof and on the ground. The electricity generated will be sold back to the grid, while the electricity required for the building will be purchased from the grid as needed. This approach eliminates the need to store energy on-site. Featuring a very airtight and well-insulated envelope, the building minimizes air leakage and helps reduce heat loss, thereby lowering the building’s overall energy demand.
Because there is no natural gas line to the facility, heating and cooling are provided using a geothermal water well system that supplies water-source heat pumps.
The new operations facility marks a major step forward in the municipality’s goal to manage, invest in, and plan for sustainable infrastructure.
A Net-Zero Energy feasibility study was conducted in January 2024. The study estimated the annual cost savings at $28,000 to $53,000. The cost savings will primarily come from:
- Electricity revenue generated from the solar panels.
- Reduced energy loss by having an airtight building envelope.
- Not having a natural gas bill.
Further, an Energy Model report from April 2024 notes that the building design provides 41.5% energy savings over the National Energy Code of Canada for Building (NECB) 2017 reference building.
The construction of the Operations Facility has provided the Municipal District of Bighorn with much-needed office space, enabling organizational growth and ensuring that municipal service levels can be maintained and enhanced in the future for the municipality.
METAFOR served as the architect and prime consultant on the project, which was completed ahead of schedule. The facility began regular occupancy in September. It stands as a symbol of the municipality’s commitment to ensuring services evolve to address the needs of residents, visitors, and service providers for years to come.
Quotes
“Canada’s buildings are our third-largest source of greenhouse gas emissions. This new net-zero operations facility for the Municipal District of Bighorn No. 8 will help us achieve our climate goals. Sustainable energy sources like solar and geothermal are an investment in lower ongoing operating costs for the future, proving that investing in climate action is also investing in our economy.”
— The Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources
“The Municipal District of Bighorn No. 8, with the support of the Green Municipal Fund, is showing what's possible when communities invest in proven solutions. Net-zero buildings don’t just cut greenhouse gas emissions; they lower operating costs. By using well-established technologies like solar power and geothermal heating and cooling, this new net-zero facility sets a model for how communities can build a cleaner, more resilient and more cost-effective future.”
— Corey Hogan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources
“This facility represents a significant milestone for the MD of Bighorn. It’s not just a building, it’s a statement about our commitment to ensuring our municipal services evolve and being responsible stewards of our environment. By achieving net-zero, we are setting a standard for responsible development. We wouldn’t have been able to do this without the financial support of the Green Municipal Fund. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who made this project possible-from the architects and engineers to the construction teams and MD staff. Your hard work and dedication have brought this vision to life.”
— Lisa Rosvold, Reeve, Municipal District of Bighorn
"The new operations facility will significantly improve how we deliver services to our residents. It provides our team with the space, tools, and technology to work more efficiently and respond to residents needs. We thank all of our partners and contributors for their commitment to completing this project successfully and on schedule. Their expertise and collaboration have created a facility that meets our operational needs, supports efficient service delivery today, and provides the flexibility to grow with our municipality in the years ahead.”
— Shaina Kelly, Chief Administrative Officer, Municipal District of Bighorn
“This facility showcases how sustainable design and strategic investment can deliver real results for communities. By achieving net-zero carbon and energy use while meeting the operational needs of a growing community, the Municipal District of Bighorn is proving that sustainability and service delivery go hand in hand. FCM is proud to support this project, and many more like it, through our Green Municipal Fund.”
— Rebecca Bligh, President, Federation of Canadian Municipalities
About GMF
FCM’s Green Municipal Fund (GMF) is a globally unique organization providing funding and education to municipalities to help them both reach net-zero and build resilient communities, while also delivering economic and social benefits such as jobs, housing and infrastructure. Since inception in 2000, it has helped reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2.98 million tonnes, funded more than 16,000 person-years of employment, enabled nearly 31,000 sustainable affordable housing units, and contributed $1.53 billion to the national GDP via the more than 2,736 approved projects. GMF manages approximately $2.4 billion in programs funded by the Government of Canada.
Media Contacts:
Thomas Judek
Communications & Marketing Coordinator
Municipal District of Bighorn
[email protected]
403-493-9017
FCM Media Relations
Elisabeth Guthrie
Advisor, Media Relations
Federation of Canadian Municipalities
[email protected]
613-416-6219
Natural Resources Canada
Media Relations
343-292-6096
[email protected]