Global Forum for Sports and Environment
University of Minnesota hopes to build 'green' stadium
The U.S. Green Building Council, a nonprofit organization dedicated to environmentally friendly building designs, rates building based on their efforts to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification. To achieve LEED certification for its stadium, the University must submit construction information to the council to be evaluated based on an extensive list of criteria. "It's where you build, it's what you build, how you build it and then how you operate it," Brian Swanson, stadium project coordinator said. "So far, I think we're on track to get certified." Points are awarded to a construction project based on the sustainability of the site, water and energy efficiency, atmospheric impact, indoor environmental quality and innovation in environmental design, according to council guidelines. Since the University first interviewed prospective architects for the stadium, the pursuit of an environmentally friendly facility has been a priority, Scott Radecic, senior principal for the stadium-architecture firm HOK Sport, said. Radecic also serves as the principal in charge of the University's stadium project. HOK Sport was the lead architect behind the University of Connecticut's football training and indoor practice facility, Radecic said. It was the nation's first collegiate athletics facility to attain LEED certification at a silver level. Construction plans were made to qualify for a number of LEED points, more than required to achieve certification, Radecic said. LINK : |
As "green" policies permeate more of American commerce - from the auto industry to ethanol producers - it's clear environmental issues have found their way into corporate boardrooms. The University [of Minnesota] set its sights on contributing to the trend as they look to make TCF Bank Stadium the nation's first "green" stadium.