Eco-friendly initiatives at Athletic and Wellness Centre
By: Fiona Persaud
Progress Editor
he Health and Wellness Building is not only a beacon of physical well being for the campus but is expected to be an environmental example for the community as well.
The two-story building will be designed with enviro-conscious elements including an Ice Peak Storage System that will make ice during hours of low consumption. The ice will then be used to cool the air in the building during peak hours. This method reduces the amount of dollars spent on electricity by using a heavier load during off peak, cheaper, hours.
“It’s basically like an 80 ton ice-cooler,” said Vish Amin, Centennials Initiatives Coordinator who has been overseeing the project for the past two years.
The yard will be paved with Pervious Concrete, a material that allows rain water to pass through and into the soil reducing the need for sewers. Rain water will also be collected from the roof and filtered to flush toilets which will reduce the overall use of tap water. Solar Collectors will also be placed on the roof to heat the water that will be used in showers and faucets.
The process has taken a learning approach as welling. Students from various programs including architectural and civil engineering students visited the cite throughout the past few months to study its various elements.
In an effort to reduce waste, 8000 sq feet of flooring from the old gym will be used to build a wall in the new building.
The 65 000 square foot gymnasium will include squash courts, a cardio area, a climbing wall, an indoor track, two aerobic studios, a spa treatment area and full fitness facility.
Luckily, students who will be graduating before the building is complete will have a chance to make use of the $75 a semester they currently pay. According to Amin, if a graduate student has paid the fee for an amount of semesters before the centre is finished they will have access to the gym for that many semesters when the building is complete.
At this time students have access to subsidized programs off campus including the Scarborough Town Centre YMCA and the Cedarbrae Extreme Fitness
“Students will get the full package having a healthier life,” said Amin who recognizes the importance of an eco-friendly energy saving building.
The building is scheduled to be completed March 2011.
