Leave No Trace
All trips led by the Outdoor Program follow the Leave No Trace principles, which provide a framework for minimizing our impact on the outdoors, and being responsible stewards of the land. Trip leaders educate participants on these principles, and demonstrate ways to minimize the impact outdoor recreation has on the environment.
Environmental Efforts
- Utilizing PSU's Green Party Kit for events with fewer than 100 people
- Composting food scraps and setting up waste stations for special events
- Composting on outdoor adventure trips
- Use of washable cloth rags for wiping down workout equipment
- Washable shower curtains in locker room and universal changing rooms
- Incorporating electronic signage in the facility to reduce the need for paper posters
Sustainable Building Features
The 105,000-square-foot Rec Center occupies half of the Academic and Student Recreation Center (ASRC) building, which is an LEED Gold Certified building. This certification makes the Rec Center one of only a handful of its type in the country, and mirrors Portland State's commitment to sustainability.
Location
The ASRC was built in January 2010 on a Brownfield site, a pre-existing under-used location, to minimize environmental impact and preserve natural spaces. The central downtown location capitalizes on existing utility infrastructure and public transportation. Site selection and full utilization of this important downtown block completes the university’s 1992 Master Plan. A vibrant transportation hub, streetcar, light rail and bus transportation are all directly adjacent to and fully integrated with pedestrian and vehicle modes. 8.8% of the material used in construction was regionally sourced.
Construction
Construction debris was carefully handled. 95% of the demolition and construction waste was diverted from landfill. All materials were evaluated with sustainable criteria. Over 10% (post consumer + ó pre-consumer) of the total value of material in the project has recycled content. Over 10% of the value of material used has been extracted, processed and manufactured regionally (within 500 miles of the site).
Water Conservation
Water-Efficient Strategies
Water usage is reduced by over 85% with water efficient strategies. Reclaimed water and dual flush fixtures for toilets, infrared sensor control faucets and low flow heads, and highly efficient irrigation contribute to the projected 300,000 gallons per year savings.
Stormwater Usage
Stormwater management strategies include storage, treatment and reclamation. Rainwater from the roof is captured, stored and reused on-site to flush toilets and, in the case of emergency, serves as fire suppression water. Eco-roof planters on the fifth level terrace retain and treat storm water reducing overflow from the fire water-tank during winter months. Site stormwater is also treated with a water quality filtration system.
Water Bottle Refilling Stations
Patrons are encouraged to use re-usable water bottles in lieu of disposable plastic bottles and can re-fill their water at the refilling stations on all three floors of the Rec Center. Drinking fountains and refilling stations on the second floor offer filtered water.
Energy Conservation
Energy-Efficient Strategies
- The following strategies reduce energy consumption in the Rec Center facility by 29%:
- Highly efficient mechanical and electrical equipment.
- Effective daylighting
- High performance exterior envelop with exterior sun screens, insulated dual pane glazing and highly insulated wall
- Flexible ventilation system
Daylighting
Daylighting (use of natural light on the interior) and connection between interior spaces and interior to exterior spaces was a design priority in order to conserve energy. The north side of the building has very large windows, while the south side has smaller windows. This optimizes the heating/cooling systems by not having to turn on the air conditioning in the afternoons. Daylight controlled electric light fixtures turn off when daylight conditions are sufficient for the task or space use, provide better lighting and reducing the electricity demand and the building cooling load. This building uses 29% less energy than a comparable code compliant building.
LED Lighting
In 2016, we installed LED lights high above the pool and the three gym courts. LEDs are the smart choice because they use only 25 percent of the energy of our original CFL florescent lamps and the gym lights alone save us roughly $3,000 per year in electricity expenses. LEDs also offer higher light quality and distribution than the CFL florescent lamps and there's virtually no maintenance or bulb replacement needed. The gym is also equipped with a remote control that enables us to:
- Dim for even less energy use
- Set a timer to auto turn/off
- Enable motion control to auto turn on/off when not in use
- Allow for auto dimming when more sunlight is coming in through windows
Occupancy Sensors
There are occupancy sensors throughout the facility that turn off the lights when there is no activity in those areas to reduce the electricity used. These sensors also override the HVAC system to lower temperature set points to avoid heating or cooling empty rooms.
Air Quality Control
Indoor air quality improvements due to control of construction dust and debris and use of low-emitting adhesives, paint, carpets and formaldehyde free casework contribute to user comfort and increased worked productivity.
Gym Ventilation
The gymnasium features a flexible system of manually operable windows, relief vents and paddle fans that allow building operators to take advantage of the natural air currents thus minimize the need to use mechanical heating and cooling equipment. The fans used in the gym and weight room are Powerfoil X paddle fans manufactured by Big Ass Fans.
Materials/Appliances
Pool Benches
The benches in the natatorium are made out of Ipe wood from South and Central America. Botanical name: Tabebuiaw ipe. This wood is made from rapidly growing, sustainably harvested, and fairly traded. It is also durable and resistant to rot.
Gym Floors
The gym features three courts. Two are Connor wood courts featuring Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Certified maple wood floors. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an independent, non-governmental, and not for profit organization that was created to change the dialogue about and the practice of sustainable forestry worldwide. The FSC standards represent the world's strongest system for guiding forest management toward sustainable outcomes.
Under the wood is a Conner Neoshok pad and a Regupol Sound Pad. The third gym is a Multi-athletic Court with dasher boards. This area features Connor Elastiplus flooring and arena board by Becker Arena Products.
Multi-Purpose Rooms
The multi-purpose rooms feature Forest Stewardship Council certified wood from Connor flooring. These rooms use Conner Neoshok and Red Neoshok pads. The multi-purpose rooms utilize natural lighting and operable windows to manage temperature. The yoga mats used in Group X classes are purchased from a local company to reduce carbon footprint. CO2 sensors control the quantities of fresh air in the rooms, and occupancy sensors turn off the lights and override the HVAC system when the rooms are unoccupied.
Laundry Systems
Highly efficient washers and dryers were purchased to maximize washing capability with minimum energy use. The washers are soft-mount Speed Queen OPAL Soft Mount SX55 models. This model reaches a G-force of 418. According to Athletic Business, highly efficient washers can save up to 50% on energy costs and use 30% less water than a normal washer. One of the features specifically mentioned is the G-force capability. Gs in excess of 200 are responsible for low water usage and a reduction in drying time. The dryers are Speed Queen dryer OPAL Drying Tumbler models. Towel service is available for a small fee, which reflects the true cost of providing clean towels.
Weight Room Equipment
Weight room equipment was selected for purchase based on a sustainability rating matrix that was created to assess the recycled content, use of alternative energy, and recycled materials.
Carpet/Paint
Carpeting is made of recycled materials, and all of the paint is low VOC to reduce toxic fumes.
Recycling
Paper, glass, and plastic recycling containers are located on every floor.
Climbing Wall
The wall is a Nicros traversing, bouldering and climbing wall. The wall is 32’ high climbing portion with belay platform, as well as a 14’ high bouldering wall. The floor is a Surface America PlayBound surface, which is made of 100% post-consumer recycled rubber from tires.
Nicros is an environmentally conscious company that follows the LEED Green Building Rating System, which encourages global adoption of sustainable green building and development practices through the creation and implementation of universally understood and accepted tools and performance criteria. Nicros pre-fabricates components to keep scrap and extra shipping weight down, which conserves fuel and sources heavy materials locally instead of shipping.
Natatorium (Swimming Pool/Spa)
Airflow Systems
The Rec Center natatorium features a 25-yard, six-lane lap pool which has a depth of three feet, six inches to seven feet. There is also a ten-person spa in the natatorium. The airflow systems in the natatorium are linked to sensors to reduce fan-use when it is not needed. This area also uses a heat recovery system to pre-heat incoming water, and efficient condensing boiler.
Heating
The Rec Center keeps the pool at 82 degrees. This prevents excessive heating costs and reduces condensation.
UV Filtration System
The natatorium (a building that contains a swimming pool) is unique because the pool and spa are connected to a UV filtration system; this is an alternate chemical procedure that cleans the water. When someone brings debris into the pool or spa, such as sweat or shampoo, the chlorine combines with the debris and the result is called “combined chlorine”. The UV process begins to work when the water is filtered through a machine where the UV light kills off the debris, thus the chlorine is useable again and gets recycled back into the pool. In traditional pools, the combined chlorine never leaves the pool and more chlorine has to be added continuously so that there is enough chlorine available to attach to the debris. Ultimately, the UV process used in the natatorium keeps the odor down and the pool cleaner.
Roof Features
Eco-Roof
Eco-roof planters on the fifth level terrace retain and treat stormwater reducing overflow from the fire water-tank during winter months and preloading the fire suppression system.
Solar Panels
A rooftop solar array was installed, which is intended to create energy for the power wheelchair charging station on the second floor.
Reflective Roof
A reflective roof minimizes heat entering the building from the sun.