The University of Toledo’s renovated Memorial Field House is so green, it’s gold.
 
The former home of Rocket basketball games and rock concerts reclaimed its pivotal place in the lives of University of Toledo students last semester, and now has been certified as a green building with a gold rating under Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards.
 
It is the first LEED gold rating for a UT building.
 
“As a University known as a leader in alternative energy and sustainability, we are proud that all of our new construction is focused on being as environmentally friendly and energy efficient as possible,” said Chuck Lehnert, vice president for facilities and construction. “This is the first of what we think will be many accolades for our green building efforts.”
 
The U.S. Green Building Council awarded the rating to the Memorial Field House for meeting a very strict set of parameters to cut energy and water use and lessen a building’s carbon footprint. Specifically, UT earned points for the field house by installing energy efficient lighting and heating and cooling systems, providing large amounts of natural light, planting water efficient landscaping, and recycling building materials.
 
The building also received points because of its close proximity to two bus loops and a conveniently located bike rack, making it a potentially efficient destination.
 
A gold ranking is the second highest in LEED’S four-tier green building rating system which ranges from basic certification to platinum status.
 
The field house, constructed in 1931, was totally renovated at a cost of $27 million and opened with 54 state-of-the-art classrooms, 70 faculty offices, a three-story central atrium, and a 250-seat auditorium in January 2009.
 
UT plans to seek a minimum of LEED silver ratings for all ongoing construction projects.