Wheaton Library and Community Recreation Center has received Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, according to a Montgomery County press release.
Great news! The County’s Wheaton Library and Community Recreation Center has earned LEED Gold certification, which is one of the highest ratings available from @USGBC. Read about the eco-friendly design features at https://t.co/VoudXY5WUR pic.twitter.com/PULdFwWIXj
— Montgomery County MD (@MontgomeryCoMD) July 14, 2020
According to the release, the LEED Green Building Rating System is aimed at recognizing buildings that minimize environmental stress and increase sustainability and resource efficiency. “It identifies criteria that positively impact the energy and environmental characteristics of a building, including sustainability of a site, water efficiency, energy efficiency, materials and resources, and indoor environmental quality,” states the press release. Gold Certification is one of the green building certification program’s highest rankings.
Great news! The County’s Wheaton Library and Community Recreation Center has earned LEED Gold certification, which is one of the highest ratings available from @USGBC. Read about the eco-friendly design features at https://t.co/VoudXY5WUR pic.twitter.com/PULdFwWIXj
— Montgomery County MD (@MontgomeryCoMD) July 14, 2020
Wheaton Library and Community Center opened in 2019 and is Montgomery County’s first “combined multiplex” to contain a library, community recreation center, Friends of the Library used bookstore and local park. The initiative to construct the building was partially funded by the County Library Capital Grant Program and the Maryland State Department of Education, Division of Library Development and Services. The press release states that the complex’s various energy-saving elements include a “vegetative planted roof, a high-performance mechanical and lighting system” and “regional and recycled materials that are healthy and low Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC).”
Montgomery County stated in its press release that this is the 14th building since 2012 to earn the LEED Gold Building ranking. These buildings, along with eight LEED Silver buildings, may serve as indicators of the county’s environmental agenda. “ The County holds ambitious standards for building sustainable methods to deliver buildings that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, provide healthy work environments, and meet the needs of our community,” states the press release.
County Executive Mark Elrich believes Wheaton Library and Community Center’s LEED certification is an advancement towards the county’s sustainability goals. “Earning a LEED gold certification facility further supports our goal of building toward our future to ensuring that all buildings are constructed as sustainably and innovatively as possible,” said Elrich. In his statement, Elrich also thanked the Department of General Services (DGS) for “delivering this successful project.”
DGS Director David Dise also expressed pride in his department’s work to earn this certification. “This is a reflection of our commitment to plan, design, construct and maintain buildings that are energy efficient, environmentally friendly and resource-efficient,” stated Dise.
