#CountdownToThomsonCentre: Check out MGH’s new environmentally friendly features

#CountdownToThomsonCentre shares the features of Michael Garron Hospital’s (MGH) new Ken and Marilyn Thomson Patient Care Centre, also known as the Thomson Centre, which opens to patients, families and caregivers on January 23, 2023. Follow along as we count down to the opening by marking different milestones and highlighting the ways the Thomson Centre helps improve the care MGH provides the community!

This week, we’re highlighting the new environmentally friendly features in the Thomson Centre.

MGH is working towards achieving a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification for the Thomson Centre.

LEED-certified buildings produce less greenhouse gas emissions, conserve water and energy and create healthier environments for people. It is a globally recognized sign of sustainability achievement and leadership.

About MGH’s new environmentally friendly features

• A green roof on the rooftop will help produce cleaner air and reduce storm water runoff. It will also enable the hospital to use less energy to cool the Thomson Centre’s interior during the summer.
• High-efficiency boilers and chillers and LED lights will help reduce the hospital’s overall energy output. Newly installed meters will measure data from electrical and mechanical systems to monitor energy usage.
• Water-efficient plumbing will reduce the hospital’s water use by 30%.
• Adaptive and drought-tolerant plants, located around entrances and on MGH’s new mental health and public terraces, will prevent excess water use and provide ecological diversity around the hospital environment.
• Bird-friendly windows, which have a dotted pattern on the glass, will allow birds to better see these barriers. This supports bird conservation by reducing the risk of birds colliding into windows.  

Benefits for patients and community

These environmentally friendly features at the Thomson Centre will enable MGH to improve the comfort and well-being of patients, caregivers, staff, physicians, learners and volunteers while helping the hospital minimize its environmental footprint for years to come.

Like the larger hospital campus, the Thomson Centre will be a scent-free and smoke-free building. This helps ensure the health and comfort of those who have allergies or other sensitivities.

Take a look at MGH’s new environmentally friendly features in the Thomson Centre in the video below!