EcoCentre

Craik And District "Eco-Centre"

Well this is it, the "Craik Eco-Centre" on a beautiful summer day on the prairies in Craik, Saskatchewan Canada.

Inside there is no doubt a hustle and bustle attitude that fills the entire building. The "Solar Garden" kitchen staff will be busily preparing meals for the day, maybe even setting up for a business luncheon in one of the meeting rooms. In the pro shop golfers will be eagerly anticipating today's round of golf, or relaxing from it. A tour of excited guests is gathering in the lobby to find out how an Eco-Centre is constructed and maintained.

The air is filled with the smiles and dreams of a community.

All in a days work at the Craik Eco-Centre!

Although you can't see it, one of the most interesting facts about the

Eco-Centre is that it is constructed with straw bales! Yes, straw bales from nearby farmers fields provides the insulation that keeps the centre cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Warm water from deep under the soil surface is circulated through the floor providing heating and cooling and as well large south facing windows allow for heat to be trapped in winter and are closed for the summer months for cooling.

The Eco-Centre is truly a remarkable building, innovative in its use of the newest technology in sustainability and ecology.

For full details on the Eco-Centre construction:

Click here for a detailed description (.pdf) of the Eco-Centre.

The Eco-Centre, which opened its doors on July 3, 2004, is located just east of the Louis Riel Trail (Highway #11), one of the busiest and well-maintained highways in the Province of Saskatchewan, Canada. Situated approximately midway between the major centres of Saskatoon and Regina, and within an hours drive from Moose Jaw, making the Eco-Centre very accessible. It is also located on the edge of the scenic Arm River Valley, overlooking Arm Lake, Craik and District Regional Park and next to the Craik and District Golf Course.

We invite you to come and experience our Eco-Centre and learn a little more about our wonderful community. Hospitality, friendship and a sense of belonging. We know you will not be disappointed!

Fun Fact

Much of the timber used in the construction of the

Eco-Centre was recycled from an old elevator being demolished in the town of Craik.

From the inside you can see many of the large, very old timbers used to support the building.

Fun Fact

Hundreds of hours of manpower and many goods and services were donated in the building of the

Eco-Centre by local residents. Community involvement at its finest!

Fun Fact

Guess how many straw bales were used in the building of the Eco-Centre?

Answer:

- About 1500 bales!

The bales were made of durum straw gathered from a producer's field in

the Craik area.