Taking the LEED

athletics, sustainability

The Durden Athletic Training Center

by Christine M. Dugan

From academics to operations, Dickinson is national leader in sustainability, and one way that the college puts its commitment to green practices on display is through Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification of new and extensively renovated buildings. The Durden Athletic Training Center has joined The Center for Sustainable Living (aka Treehouse), the Rector Science Complex, Waidner Admissions House and Althouse Hall in earning LEED Gold certification, the second highest level.  

LEED is a rating system developed and administered by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) to promote design, construction and operations practices that reduce the environmental impact of buildings, improve health and wellness for building occupants and highlight sustainability awareness. To receive one of the four levels of certification, institutions must meet and adhere to rigorous sets of practices and processes that include energy and water efficiency, where and how the building is sited, where and what materials are used in the construction and much more. When it comes to green building practices, facilities operations and maintenance, achieving LEED certification is one of the best ways to demonstrate that a building project is sustainable.

Designed by architect Gensler and built by Harrisburg-based Alexander Building Construction Co., the Durden Center's design features open, airy and accessible stairs so coaches with ample natural lighting. More than 78 percent of the on-site construction waste was diverted from landfills, and nearly 40 percent of the total building materials were manufactured using recycled materials. Since locker-room use is seasonal, lighting, heating and cooling systems are zoned strategically for maximum energy efficiency. Efficient low-flow plumbing fixtures help reduce water consumption, and the design accommodates the future installation of a green roof—a sustainable feature with storm-water management and energy insulation benefits.

The Durden Athletic Training Center, which opened last year, provides Dickinson’s student-athletes with more than 22,000-square feet of strength training, sports medicine, meeting and event space as well as more than 200 pro-style lockers for football, field hockey, men’s and women’s lacrosse, coaches, officials and visiting teams. The center honors William G. ’71 and Elke Durden and was possible thanks to a $6-million leadership gift from Sam Rose ’58 and Julie Walters as well as gifts from roughly 130 alumni, parents and friends of the college.

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Published May 12, 2015