In keeping with UW-Eau Claire ’ s educational mission , a permanent display about the project ’ s comprehensive commitment to sustainability – including a nearly real-time dashboard showing energy use and savings – will figure prominently in the main lobby , where students and the public can be inspired to take the building ’ s story with them to their workplaces , their families , and beyond to spawn ideas for future sustainable projects .
“ Establishing the dashboard as a teaching tool – that ’ s something that ’ s very special to this project ,” said Rebecca Rice , senior consultant with Greenwood Consulting Group , LLC , a subconsultant to prime consultant Ayres on the gamechanging project , which has been designed to qualify for LEED v4 BD + C : NC certification . That stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for building design and construction for new construction . The CMC project broke ground in spring 2022 and is expected to finish in June 2024 ; Rice expects LEED certification will be confirmed by the end of 2024 . Preceding LEED certification will be a process of commissioning , during which an independent service will verify that building systems are actually performing as designed .
Sustainability a priority for multiple stakeholders
Sustainability is a key aspect of UW-Eau Claire ’ s strategic plan , and students voted in favor of student fees to support the project , including the money needed to seek LEED certification , said Kimera Way , president of the Eau Claire Community Complex , the nonprofit corporation that is building and will own the CMC . The main financial push supporting injecting sustainability measures into the design came from the Eau Claire-based Pablo Foundation , which is providing nearly $ 10 million – roughly half in direct philanthropy and half in low-interest loans to be repaid with the facility ’ s energy savings . The Pablo Foundation money funded the geothermal system , efficient windows , and extra wall and roof insulation .
“ Making this all happen would not have been possible without the Pablo Foundation ,” Way said .
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