Minister of Community and Rural Development Bill Bennett, UBCM President Robert Hobson, Premier Gordon Campbell and UBCM Executive Director Emeritus Richard Taylor tour the "green roof" of the new Local Government House during opening ceremonies in Victoria.

The province donated the land at 525 Government St. to recognize UBCM’s service on behalf of B.C. communities for over a century.

For the first time, B.C. local governments have a permanent home within walking distance of the Legislature to support UBCM’s work on behalf of B.C. communities.

The new facility meets LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold standards and was built using B.C. products, including pine beetle-enhanced wood.

Local Government House also incorporates an advanced storm water management system that includes a green roof, a 16,000-litre cistern and rain garden that will filter and reuse nearly 100 percent of the site’s stormwater.

With offices in Richmond and Victoria, UBCM advocates on matters of legislative concern for local governments and provides a variety of services to its members, including the administration of funding programs. Every local government in British Columbia is a member of UBCM.