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STRATFORD, Ontario — Toyota Canada said recently that one of its stores in Ontario has become the first dealership in the nation to earn Gold Certification in the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System.

Moreover, officials indicated that the $4 million facility of Stratford Toyota is also the city of Stratford's first building — automotive or otherwise — to be LEED Certified.

Toyota Canada's chief environmental officer and managing director Stephen Beatty was slated to give the dealership a commemorative plaque at its grand opening ceremony.

"At Toyota, commitment to the environment is an integral part of our DNA, and the driving force behind our sustainable mobility initiatives and corporate and dealership operations nationwide," commented Beatty.

"As the first Canadian automotive dealership ever awarded LEED Gold Certification, and the first LEED Certified Toyota dealership in Canada, we congratulate Stratford Toyota on their achievements and wish them every success within the community," he added.

To achieve this certification, Stratford Toyota put in place a number of measures. For example, of the materials used to build the store, more than 28 percent were "of a recycled nature."

The store said it redirected almost all (more than 97 percent) of its construction waste from the landfill, and installed energy-conservation technologies in the facility that can lead to a 37-percent cut in energy consumption.

Among the energy-saving technologies employed are: combining energy-efficient lighting with natural lighting, as well as utilizing in-floor heating and more efficient heat retention via highly insulated wall panels.

Stratford Toyota also built in an 8,000-liter storm water cistern recapturing system. This can result in a more than 99-percent cut in the use of potable city water.

The building's use of the newest water-efficiency strategies has trimmed water use by 84 percent. These approaches include using low-flow toilets and drought-resistant landscaping.

The store also put in at Thermoplastic Polyolefin roof that can not only keep summer sun rays at bay, but also serve as insulation in winter. The roof is of "white vinyl-type material."

Continuing on, the dealership opened to the public earlier this year and will likely have 18 staff members.

"We're proud to join the community of Stratford, and to do so while meeting LEED Gold Certification requirements is a great accomplishment for us," stated John Strickland, dealer principal of Stratford Toyota.

"Environmental leadership is a key pillar of Toyota's philosophy, and Stratford Toyota is committed to contributing to a better future for our customers," he added