GUELPH – On Sept. 25, Co-operators celebrated the grand opening of its new headquarters, consolidating five southern Ontario locations and approximately 1,200 staff into a state-of-the-art facility at 101 Cooper Drive in Guelph.
Co-operators senior leaders were joined by Guelph Mayor Cam Guthrie, MPP Mike Schreiner, and Elder Stephen Winterhawk Laforme, representing the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nations, to celebrate the new building, which started hosting employees in August.
“This state-of-the-art, zero carbon designed headquarters is a testament to our dedication to serving our clients, our member organizations, our community, and our planet,” said Paul Hanna, executive vice president of member relations and corporate services.
Co-operators moved its national headquarters to Guelph in 1967 and has been carbon neutral since 2020.
Its new headquarters will help move the organization towards its target of reducing 45 per cent of its operational emissions by 2030 and reaching net zero by 2040.
LED lighting, high-efficiency water source technology and a rooftop solar array are among the features that will contribute to carbon emissions savings.
“The City of Guelph is thrilled to welcome Co-operators into their new, state-of-the-art, environmentally sustainable headquarters,” said Guthrie.
“This building is a showcase of efficiency, technology, and employee wellbeing, not only for our community but also across Ontario and the entire country.”
“Whether it’s for our employees or the customers we serve every day, building a better future starts from within,” said Shawn Fitzgerald vice president, real estate and workplace services. “Our new headquarters shows it’s possible to create compelling workspaces that attract top talent while honouring our sustainability commitments.”
