corresponding Great Lakes Region NRMCA benchmark global warming potential values .”
Stok worked with American Materials to generate environmental product declarations ( EPDs ) for its products , and the company can now use those EPDs to market to future customers who are interested in using materials with a reduced carbon footprint . In this way the CMC project has helped contribute to market transformation and supports goals of using the CMC as a regional sustainability education tool .
Over 40 building products with EPDs were specified for installation in the CMC .
Among the most creative and beautiful ways the CMC project reduces the building-material-related carbon footprint is the reuse of old bleachers from UW-Eau Claire ’ s Zorn Arena – the current basketball venue – as a feature wall in a CMC concessions area . This reduced the need for production and purchase of new wall cladding for this area , Delfosse said . Not to mention this wall ’ s nod to the storied , century-long history of high-caliber men ’ s and later women ’ s basketball teams here .
In addition to the LEED certification that Ayres ’ project team will pursue to verify the complex ’ s environmental and energy performance , a WELL Health-Safety Rating is being pursued based on operations , maintenance , and emergency policies that will aim to improve occupants ’ health and well-being . An outgrowth of the COVID-19 pandemic , the WELL HSR programming will include a business continuity plan that will keep critical business functions going in the event of an emergency such as a blizzard or a pandemic . WELL HSR planning for the CMC includes implementing social distancing strategies and increased ventilation during a respiratory health crisis , Rice said . And if the facility were mostly shut down during an adverse event , there would be a plan to guard against Legionella bacteria , which can form in stagnant water and cause a serious form of pneumonia .
Stepping back from the details , it ’ s not hard to see the big-picture influence this project will exert . With long-term commitments from both the university and the City of Eau Claire , Way said , the example provided by the CMC project will light the way for future green projects .
Top left photo : Some of the bleachers from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire ’ s Zorn Arena will be used to create a beautiful and historic vibe on the walls of a concession area in the new CMC . Bottom photo : UW-Eau Claire students visit the future fieldhouse during construction .
22 | TRENDS Ingenuity , Integrity , and Intelligence .