Hills of Headwaters members hear details of planned new offices

Mag Ruffman was enthused about the work being done by architect Martin Liefhebber has been doing to design the new accommodations for Hills of Headwaters. The Hills of Headwaters Tourism Association members are looking forward to moving into new accommodations, likely in 2010.

The association heard an update on the project last Wednesday at their Awards Night and Annual General Meeting at Glen Eagle Golf Club.

Association Chairperson Annette Turturici of Inglewood said they had determined a more professional facility was needed, so they are working on getting it built. It's to go on the site of the current building, at the corner of Highways 9 and 10 in Orangeville.

The aim of the association is to promote tourism, which brings some $50 million into the Headwaters (Caledon, Dufferin, Erin) area annually, so they reasoned they needed a professional facility to show they're serious about welcoming visitors.

TV personality and author Mag Ruffman, honorary chair of the project, has lived in Violet Hill for about six years, but said her family used to travel to these parts from the city since she was five. She recalled taking relatives from England to the Terra Cotta Inn for High Tea. She also recalled from her high school days, the orienteering sessions in the Hockley Valley.

Architect Martin Liefhebber is seen here with some of the plans for the new building he's designing. Ruffman had plenty of praise for the project's architect Martin Liefhebber. "I'm so encouraged by what Martin has done with the building," she declared. "I'm just so proud of this whole area."

"It is incredibly exciting to be unveiling this project this evening," remarked Program Chair Mary Lawson, adding it's to be a green building that conveys a message to the community.

Liefhebber said the building represents a step ahead in Canada when it comes to building for sustainability. The facility he's planning has been inspired by the cultural history of the area, which used to be characterized by things like sawmills, orchards and other industries that would have been started by what nature had to offer. He added there is a greater effort these days for people to find those roots, and get insights on how things work through nature.

Last Wednesday's annual general meeting for Hills of Headwaters saw numerous awards being presented. Jefferson Mappin was named Tourism Ambassador of the Year. He also presented the Retailer of the Year Award to Janine and Jim Livingston of Broadway Farm's Market on Heart Lake Road in Caledon. The building is going to be heated as much as possible by sunlight, and it will be naturally cooled, eliminating the need for air conditioning.

In terms of sustainability and green design, he said the building combines methods that were employed years ago with some durable high tech.

Liefhebber said the building will be aligned for maximum visibility from Highway 10, as well as maximum exposure to the sun in winter.

The floor area will be about 5,000 square feet, but it will have a long design. "It's got a large presence," he said.

The parking lot will be covered with crush stone, so runoff won't contaminate nearby wetlands. as well, he said there will be solar panels on the roof to provide electric power.

He also said the twostorey structure will be supported by columns. The walls will be made of allnatural materials, since they won't have to hold the structure up. Beams will be made of little wood saplings. They will be stronger and can be obtained without killing the entire tree. The floors will be made of concrete. That will absorb the warmth from the sunlight coming through the windows.

"This wouldn't work if it was a wooden floor because wood is insulating," Liefhebber said.

Cooling in the summer will be provided by the design, which Liefhebber called a "solar chimney." A window will be at the top to draw the air out, and there will be openings at the bottom of the structure to allow the cooler air in. That air will circulate inside as it's drawn up.

Lawson said the project is slated to cost about $1.3 million, although there are chances for grants, which they will be exploring. But she stressed the need for support on this project from the association's membership.

"It's going to take a lot of work and a lot of time," she remarked.