Kroger Field, home of the Kentucky Wildcats, has been awarded LEED Silver certification for its sustainable design and environmental performance. The rating, developed by the US Green Building Council, makes Kroger Field the first LEED-certified competition venue in the Southeastern Conference.
“In both the design and construction process, we were committed to transforming the long-time home of Kentucky football in a way that would be sustainable for years to come,” athletics director Mitch Barnhart told the UK Athletics website.
“We are proud Kroger Field has joined exclusive company in becoming LEED-certified for exactly that reason and thankful for the work of our partners in the renovation.”
A renovation and expansion project at the venue began in 2013, when the facility was known as Commonwealth Stadium. RossTarrant Architects and associate architect HNTB worked with the university to create a new design for the facility that would transform the fan experience on game day.
The stadium reopened in 2015 following the US$126m renovation, showcasing widened concourses, new restrooms, and a stadium packed with premium amenities including suites, clubs, loge seating, and private lounges.
“We knew from the beginning that sustainability was critical to the success of this project,” said Kevin Locke of RossTarrant Architects. “Achieving LEED Silver is a real testament to the university’s commitment to the environment. Knowing how well this stadium performs makes the experience they have created for Wildcat fans even more special.”
A number of factors contributed to the certification. Not only were a number of strategies and solutions included in the new design, but 67% of the old stadium was reused to create the new Kroger Field, minimizing construction waste and the need for the manufacturing and transportation of new materials.
Low-flow water fixtures save approximately 204,000 gallons of water each year, and the new stadium uses a third less energy than the typical facility, saving 694 tons of greenhouse gasses every year.
October 17, 2017
