The GreenField Ethanol Lighthouse is serving as a beacon for these national Games, guiding the 1,500 participants from across Canada to the hub of the Games at the Athletes' Village at St. Lawrence College in Brockville, as well as highlighting the competitors' achievements at the medal plaza.  The lighthouse will be powered by ethanol, providing an environmentally friendly solution for the Games.  Ethanol from the Johnstown plant reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 62% compared to gasoline and is therefore an important fuel to reduce Canada's environmental footprint.

"The GreenField Ethanol lighthouse will kindle the spirit of competition and camaraderie of the Games, while demonstrating the great contribution that ethanol makes to the community," said Ken Field, Chairman, GreenField Ethanol.  "We are thrilled that the local area is hosting these world class games and we want to support the Canada 55+ Games' goal of active healthy living."

 "The GreenField Ethanol lighthouse is a great reflection of the neighbouring Thousand Islands," said Laurence Bishop, Executive Director, of the 2010 Games.  "The lighthouse will put a spotlight on Brockville and the 2010 Canada 55+ Games. We want to thank GreenField Ethanol for this important sponsorship that helps the Games reduce its environmental footprint."

The GreenField Ethanol Lighthouse will stand almost 20 feet tall.  The Lighthouse's revolving lamp was donated by the Canadian Coast Guard.   The beam from the light can be seen from quite a distance and is powered by a generator fueled by E85, a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. This clean-burning fuel reduces GHG emissions compared to gasoline, reduces particulate emissions and eliminates the need for toxic byproducts such as benzene, which are used to raise octane levels in gasoline.

The lighthouse was erected prior to the Tall Ships Landing Opening Ceremonies on August 25, and will be lit by a very special guest at the end of a torch run by local Hall-of-Famers and Special Olympians.

GreenField Ethanol Inc. (www.greenfieldethanol.com) is Canada's leading ethanol producer. The company produces 550 million litres a year of ethanol at its four Canadian plants.  Two of these plants - Johnstown and Chatham - are relatively new members to the Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium family.  EMC members in these two regions are looking forward to networking and sharing best practices with the employees of these plants.

The Canada 55+ Games began in 1996 and is a nation-wide program to sponsor wellness, that is, the spiritual, mental and physical well being among Canadians 55 years of age and older. They are held every two years. The Games combine competitive physical activities and mental challenges. Games' participants have won competitions in their categories in their respective provinces and territories. Look for more detailed information about the 2010 Games at:  www.brockville2010.ca.

Thank you to Jeffery Lang-Weir, Communications Coordinator, GreenField Ethanol Inc. and

Hannelore Walther, Director of Media and Communications, 2010 Canada 55+ Games, for the background material for this article.  Thank you also to Darrell Veres, Plant Manager, GreenField Ethanol, Johnstown, for sharing this news with EMC members!