ENVIRONMENT

Dedication and preservation

Today more than ever, the stunning natural beauty of the Gatineau Park continues to inspire the Mill’s commitment to sustainable principles and effective environmental management.

In 2001, during the Mill’s transformation into a country inn, great effort was made to preserve the building’s heritage and re-use many of its components. Much of the original stone masonry was retained and the sections that were removed to make way for doors and windows were recycled into building the foundation. Some of the Mill’s original mechanical components today serve as landscaping ornaments, and even the original leather belts that used to turn the mills were adapted into the guest room door numbers.

In 2009, the Green Key Eco-Rating program for hotels awarded the Mill 3 Green Keys, recognizing the Mill’s environmental efforts. Participation in the Green Keys program prompted the establishment of a formal set of environmental policies addressing commitments in energy and water conservation, waste management, proper handling of hazardous and toxic substances, eco-purchasing and community involvement and support.

So it comes as no surprise that the new Eco River Lodge is as green as it gets. The 13 guest room and conference center building is designed and constructed to adhere to eco-friendly practices. In February 2014, it became the first hotel in the National Capital Region to be awarded LEED certification, the standard in environmental performance.

LEED, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is an internationally recognized green building certification system, attesting that a building was designed and built using established strategies aimed at improving energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality, and stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts.