Following over 3 years working with key stakeholder groups, architects and designers, the B.C Government and Service Employees’ Union is set to hold the official opening of the union’s new area office at 500 Quebec Street, Prince George on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015.

“The opening event marks a new benchmark in the union’s vision to provide a larger, technologically advanced facility to serve more than 1,800 BCGEU members in Prince George and surrounding areas,” says BCGEU president Stephanie Smith.

“The new area office will also reduce our carbon footprint. It is a LEED certified building (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), which is the new standard for sustainable construction.”

The BCGEU office incorporates a number of green features, including LED technology throughout, sensor-controlled lighting and faucets, a high efficiency heat pump, and drought-resistant landscaping.

Smith also noted that the area office complex was built by unionized labour.

“I am proud to say that only union labour was employed on the building site and that local trades, whenever possible, were contracted to the do the work. This is part of our commitment to use members’ funds to create family supporting jobs and to support the communities in which we serve.”

The area office will also carry forward the title of Diane L. Wood Union Centre. Wood is a former long-serving treasurer of the BCGEU who served members in an elected capacity for over 30 years.

In addition to BCGEU labour leaders in attendance, His Worship, Mayor Lyn Hall will be attending the festivities on behalf of the city of Prince George. The festivities starts at noon, with official proceedings scheduled to start at about 12:30 pm on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015.