The Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Center in Grand Rapids, MI, has been recognized for its environmentally friendly design by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).
The Grand Rapids Kroc, which opened in November 2010, has achieved a gold-level designation in the USGBC’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system.
Some of the facility’s earth-friendly features include a geo-thermal heating and cooling system, a roof designed to reflect heat during the summer, and energy-efficient windows and lighting. Kroc officials say that these features lower the center’s energy costs by an estimated 37 percent, The Grand Rapids Press reports.
The Kroc Center programming also reflects its green values by offering occasional education and activities that aim to raise awareness of environmental issues, according to a press release from the facility’s public relations office.
The 105,000-square-foot facility includes an 8,000-square-foot health and wellness center with cardio and strength machines, a 30-foot climbing wall, a 7,000-square-foot indoor aquatic center, and an outdoor sports and recreation area with a high-ropes course.