Fitness Center Shapes Up As LEED Platinum

The new Smith Aquatic and Fitness Center in Charlottesville, Virginia recently received a LEED Platinum certification from the US Green Building Council, according to a recent Earth Techling article. The facility, located on the grounds of a local middle school, was named one of the top 10 New Facilities by Athletic Business magazine for 2011.

During construction of the facility, 99 percent of all wastes were diverted from landfills, and high-efficiency glazed windows were used throughout to bring daylight to 98 percent of all occupied spaces. A rooftop solar thermal system provides hot water for all those hot showers swimmers enjoy after a dip in the pool and automatic faucets and low-flow fixtures reduce water consumption to by up to 64 percent.

The center’s two pools use a combined ultraviolet and CO2 pool water treatment system to reduce the chemicals used for pool maintenance. 31% of all building materials were regionally sourced, selected for their material content, and for how they promote healthy indoor air quality.

Another green feature of the facility is its geothermal heating and cooling system which is expected to reduce the building’s heating and cooling bills by roughly 58 percent each year, compared to conventionally heated and cooled building of similar size.

Chris Timmerman
Contributing Writer
Green Education Services
www.greenedu.com