RWC Earns the LEED Gold Certification

The Recreation and Wellness Center has earned the prestigious Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design [LEED] Gold Certification from the United States Green Building Council.

The center is primary used for student recreation and wellness including space for cardio, fitness, racquetball and multi-activity courts, multi-purpose rooms, an Olympic style lap pool and an 186,000 gallon Leisure Pool.

The RWC expanded to a 150,000-square-foot facility in 2010 and one of the goals was to earn the LEED Silver Certification. The USGBC is the nation’s leader in recognizing sustainable building and construction.

The USCBC uses a scoring system to rate facilities. The RWC earned high marks in a number of key green and energy efficient areas including:

Innovative design

Quantity and quality of storm water management

 Providing alternative means by use of public transportation, bicycle storage and reduced parking needs

Reducing heat island affect by providing a highly efficient reflective roof

Water use reduction with the use of low-flow fixtures and efficient landscaping

Reducing and recycling demolition and construction debris which diverts waste from landfills

Using regional materials to reduce pollution from traveling vehicles

Employing local manufacturers

Using low emitting materials for a healthier environment for students/members using the facility

Controllability of the lighting system to reduce energy use and costs

Providing a thermally comfortable facility that reduces energy and costs

With the expansion efforts of the general contractor, WELBRO Building Corporation, the architects Borrelli + Partners Inc., and the Orlando-based TLC Engineering that designed the building’s systems and administered the LEED process for the facility. UCF Facilities Planning and Construction coordinated the efforts to ensure the project was a success.

“We are so proud and pleased to receive this certification,” said James Wilkening, director for the RWC. “The RWC takes great pride in not only being good partners within the UCF community but within the global society as well as shares a glimpse of that commitment.” The Recreation and Wellness Center is in the Division of Student Development and Enrollment Services.