The Construction Source

OCTOBER 2020 but Canadian embassies and consulates around the world. The factory’s employees were also integral parts of the community, and took pride in giving back, just like the community took pride in the factory. In recognition of that cultural importance, the new Gibbard District has been designed to “uniquely capture the legacy of the factory,” says Nate Doornekamp, also a Director. “From the vibrant hub at the centre of the district to the thoughtfully designed floor plans named after well- crafted Gibbard products, the development reflects the quality and spirit of community for which the factory was known,” Nate says. Nate reports that former Gibbard co-owner Bruce McPherson was “blown away” when he saw sketches of the district. He also said it meant a lot to him that parts of the factory, including its names and sectors of its façade, are being preserved and incorporated into the community. “To him, it couldn’t be a better example of harnessing a successful past to build for the future,” Nate says. On the topic of building for the future, Gibbard District was also designed to be environmentally sustainable and to promote env i r onmen t a l l y - f r i end l y living – that is another key goal of the development, as Napanee’s natural beauty is as cherished as its history. To achieve that sustainability, the community features vast green spaces, livable parks, and large plantable areas in place of expansive asphalt surfaces. It also reduces energy usage by incorporating a geothermal loop to heat and cool the property efficiently. According to Ben and Nate, this geothermal energy will have “many benefits for the buyer, community, and planet.” For example, it will take the equivalent of 64 cars off the road each year and save 1.25 million litres of fresh water by