Morguard Recognized with Three LEAP Awards from HOOPP for Leadership in Sustainability Initiatives

MISSISSAUGA, ON, May 27, 2016 /CNW/ - Morguard Investments Limited ("Morguard") was recognized with three Leadership in Environmental Advancement Program (LEAP) Awards from Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP). HOOPP's fifth annual LEAP Awards recognize property management teams and tenants across Canada for their leadership in sustainability initiatives at its managed real estate portfolio. 

"HOOPP builds healthy, efficient and high-performing buildings that preserve the environment, while delivering quality products to its tenants and long-term value for its members," said Lisa Lafave, Senior Portfolio Manager at HOOPP. "We congratulate the Morguard LEAP Award winners on their commitment to these sustainability values and their focus on tenant collaboration, sustainability innovation and building performance."

"Sustainable Morguard, our corporate-wide sustainability program, is successful because we partner with our clients, like HOOPP, to achieve common goals," said George Schott, President and Chief Operating Officer of Morguard Investments Limited. "It takes collaboration and commitment to realize value for all stakeholders in healthy, resource-efficient, high-quality buildings."

Morguard was recognized for excellence in three categories:

Tenant Collaboration
Beckta Dining & Wine Bar, Performance Court, Ottawa, Ontario

Morguard received the Tenant Leader: Retail Award for its collaboration with Beckta Dining & Wine Bar, located in the 140-year old restored heritage designated building, housed within the LEED Gold Class A Office tower. The objective of the joint initiative was to improve sustainability outcomes at the flagship restaurant by growing its own vegetables on site and reducing restaurant waste.  The initiative resulted in the establishment of a 1,000-square-foot urban garden on the 7^th floor outdoor terrace that today provides 10% of the restaurant's vegetable needs. As well, the restaurant worked to maximize its composting and recycling programs by diverting approximately 88.1% of its waste from landfill.

Beckta's achievements have been used to demonstrate innovative sustainable initiatives and successful composting and recycling programs at other restaurants in Morguard's portfolio.

Sustainability Innovation
Coquitlam Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia

Morguard received the Sustainability Innovator: Stakeholder Engagement Award.  This Award recognized a multi-faceted campaign, Going Organic, which targeted retail tenants and visitors at the one-million-square-foot super-regional enclosed shopping centre with a goal to reduce organic waste.  The campaign resulted in a significant increase in the diversion of organic waste – from 64,765 kgs in 2014 to 400,917 kgs in 2015 – a 619% increase.

A follow up tenant satisfaction survey indicated that more than 95% of the respondents feel that Coquitlam Centre is an environmentally responsible shopping centre and nearly 90% responded that they were "Satisfied or Very Satisfied" with their engagement of sustainable practices at the Centre.

Building Performance
Bonnie Doon Centre, Edmonton, Alberta

In order to achieve widespread reduction in water consumption at Bonnie Doon Centre, Morguard's property management team and tenants implemented several water efficiency initiatives ranging from active demand management to retrofits. As a result of this joint effort, the 500,000-square-foot enclosed shopping centre was recognized with a HOOPP LEAP Award for Water Winner: Retail based on an overall score of water intensity, water reduction and progress to water target.

"Sustainability is a core value at Morguard and this recognition demonstrates the depth and diversity of our commitment to sustainability programs," said K. Rai Sahi, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Morguard. "We congratulate our property management teams, tenants and HOOPP for working together and finding new ways to make continuous improvements that have measurable long-term benefits in local communities."

About Morguard
Morguard Investments Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morguard Corporation (TSX: MRC), provides real estate advisory services and property management to institutional investors. Morguard Corporation is a major North American real estate company.  It has extensive retail, office, industrial, multi–suite residential, and hotel holdings owned directly, or through its investment in Morguard REIT (TSX: MRT.UN) and Morguard North American Residential REIT (TSX: MRG.UN). Morguard's combined real estate portfolio is valued at $16.0 billion. Visit www.morguard.com.

SOURCE Morguard Corporation