Spring Break
Football Complex Earns Green Certification
Katy Nally
Issue date: 9/25/07 Section: News
The only athletic facilities in the nation that are energy efficient enough to earn "silver" status by Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) are at UConn.
The Burton Family Football Complex and the Mark R. Shenkman Training Center are 35 percent more energy efficient than a standard, up-to-code building, Richard Miller, director of environmental policy at UConn said. Together they cost $200,000 to $300,000 more than an average building, but their efficiencies will save UConn $40,000 a year, paying for both in five to six years.
"I think it makes all the sense in the world," Miller said.
LEED is part of the U.S. Green Building Council. It reviews submitted buildings and rates their efficiency based on credits. Silver status is third place, and means the Burton Complex and the Shenkman Center achieved over 50 percent of the possible efficiency credits.
According to the EcoHusky Web site, the two facilities recycled 89 percent of the construction debris, including 4,100 tons of wood, concrete, metal, cardboard and asphalt. Neither building uses oil or gas for heat. For example, in the ceiling of the indoor field at the Shenkman Center, there are infrared radiant heating panels that are more efficient, Miller said. Also, all the lights have occupancy sensors that only turn on with motion.
Miller said after the completion of the Burton Complex and the Shenkman Center, UConn adopted a sustainable design and construction policy.
"[The construction] demonstrated to the university that green building and meeting very high standards, is economically feasible. We can do it," Miller said.
The university pledged all its future construction and renovations would achieve silver status or better when it is economically feasible. Miller mentioned the new humanities buildings that would replace Arjona and Monteith, saying they would be built "green" because of this policy
Vaughn Williams, executive assistant of athletic operations at UConn, said he likes the new facilities because they are "not 50 years old."
The Burton Complex lobby is decked out with numerous TV screens airing UConn football segments, and trophy cases housing commemorative footballs.
Terry O'Neill, a 7th-semester sociology major and a greeter in the entrance of the Burton Complex, said he sees students peeking in the front windows but not actually venturing inside.
"I feel like there's a misconception about this place," O'Neill said.
Currently, O'Neill said, the facility is "on lockdown" because there has not been an open house for the general public yet and it is prime football season. However, the indoor fields were recently opened for intramurals, O'Neill said.
Contact Katy Nally at
Caitlin.Nally@UConn.edu.
The Burton Family Football Complex and the Mark R. Shenkman Training Center are 35 percent more energy efficient than a standard, up-to-code building, Richard Miller, director of environmental policy at UConn said. Together they cost $200,000 to $300,000 more than an average building, but their efficiencies will save UConn $40,000 a year, paying for both in five to six years.
"I think it makes all the sense in the world," Miller said.
LEED is part of the U.S. Green Building Council. It reviews submitted buildings and rates their efficiency based on credits. Silver status is third place, and means the Burton Complex and the Shenkman Center achieved over 50 percent of the possible efficiency credits.
According to the EcoHusky Web site, the two facilities recycled 89 percent of the construction debris, including 4,100 tons of wood, concrete, metal, cardboard and asphalt. Neither building uses oil or gas for heat. For example, in the ceiling of the indoor field at the Shenkman Center, there are infrared radiant heating panels that are more efficient, Miller said. Also, all the lights have occupancy sensors that only turn on with motion.
Miller said after the completion of the Burton Complex and the Shenkman Center, UConn adopted a sustainable design and construction policy.
"[The construction] demonstrated to the university that green building and meeting very high standards, is economically feasible. We can do it," Miller said.
The university pledged all its future construction and renovations would achieve silver status or better when it is economically feasible. Miller mentioned the new humanities buildings that would replace Arjona and Monteith, saying they would be built "green" because of this policy
Vaughn Williams, executive assistant of athletic operations at UConn, said he likes the new facilities because they are "not 50 years old."
The Burton Complex lobby is decked out with numerous TV screens airing UConn football segments, and trophy cases housing commemorative footballs.
Terry O'Neill, a 7th-semester sociology major and a greeter in the entrance of the Burton Complex, said he sees students peeking in the front windows but not actually venturing inside.
"I feel like there's a misconception about this place," O'Neill said.
Currently, O'Neill said, the facility is "on lockdown" because there has not been an open house for the general public yet and it is prime football season. However, the indoor fields were recently opened for intramurals, O'Neill said.
Contact Katy Nally at
Caitlin.Nally@UConn.edu.
Be the first to comment on this story