Stadium Addition at U. of Florida Wins Platinum Rating for Sustainability

A $28-million addition to the University of Florida’s football stadium has been awarded a platinum-level certification in the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program, the university announced this week.

The new facility, the Heavener Football Complex (above; U. of Florida photo), houses offices, conference rooms, a 25,000-square-foot weight-training area, a 4,000-square-foot recruiting space called the Gator Room, and a two-story atrium intended to display trophies and other memorabilia.

Among the facility’s sustainable features are sensors that automatically turn off lights when rooms are not in use, low-flow shower heads, dual-flush toilets, and a green roof on the weight room. The landscaping is designed to need 50 percent less irrigation than conventional plantings and to be irrigated with reclaimed water.

The facility, designed by RDG Planning and Design, is the first in Florida to earn LEED platinum status. It earned 52 out of 69 possible LEED points.