ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION patron-relations challenge, as the area is cleaned one half at a time even as it is being used. Says Weinberger, “Custodians need to be sensitive. If somebody really is uncomfortable and complaining, we tell the custodian to temporarily stop, let that person finish up and continue later.” In December, Cal’s rec center began offering locker room-only memberships. For $15 a month, faculty and staff who walk or bike to campus can access day lockers, towels and showers. “People who commute to campus with alternative transportation now have a way to come and clean up before they go to work,” says Weinberger, adding that the measure has gained favor with a campus bicycle alliance and other green transportation advocates. The department also has reached out to the private sector, consulting with Clif® Bar & Company, the Berkeley-based producer of organic energy bars that sponsors Cal’s annual triathlon, about how to ensure that the hundreds of wrappers generated by the event are C OLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES S TUDENT RECREATION CENTER AND C OMPETITION GYMNASIUM RECREATION STADIUMS WELLNESS ARENAS EVENT CENTERS ATHLETICS CLUBHOUSES ICE RINKS AMPHITHEATERS AQUATICS CONVENTION CENTERS COMPETITION VENUES WWW.SINKCOMBS.COM 303.308.0200 866.535.5653 recycled. Corporate partner Bank of America has agreed to finance tree plantings every time a new member joins the rec sports Facebook community. An agreement with mobile service provider Kadoink allows rec center scheduling changes to be sent to patrons via text message. “We’re trying to communicate with the students the way they live,” says Weinberger. “But it also saves us paper. Instead of throwing out the old weekly schedules and printing new ones, we’re trying to do more electronically.” Finally, Weinberger hoped to have installed by spring two water-bottle filling stations not unlike those seen in supermarkets. The goal is to get students in the habit of bringing reusable water bottles to the rec center instead of brand-name water in disposable bottles. “Our belief is if we provide good quality water that’s chilled and filtered, these stations will help students make the transition from buying bottles of water to just refilling,” says CIRCLE 27 ON REPLY CARD CIRCLE 28 ON REPLY CARD 42 ATHLETIC BUSINESS APRIL 2008 ATHLETICBUSINESS.COM Weinberger, who also hoped a sponsorship would help make the reusable bottles readily affordable, if not free, to students. “It eliminates plastic waste and it encourages them to drink water instead of Coke and other bottled beverages.” Waste management is a green strategy common to most environmentally friendly recreation departments. Rick Grizer, maintenance manager of Recreation & Wellness Services for the University of Akron, reports that since answering a student request to place plastic bottle recycling bins throughout the school’s Student Recreation & Wellness Center, his department recycles ten 60-gallon bags worth of plastic each week, a number that can easily double during special events. Meanwhile, paper bins within the facility’s administrative suite yield 50 gallons of recyclable material weekly. A survey of University of Nebraska We Built Our Reputation One Building at a Time... Stanmar is a proud member of the U.S. Green Building Council. By Delivering On Every Promise. The simple fact is, when you do what you say you will do — and do it better than anyone else — you’ll likely succeed. We continue to build on our 40 years of experience as the nation’s only specialist in custom design and cost-effective construction of multi-purpose facilities for private colleges, universities, and independent secondary schools. We assume full project responsibility, including guaranteed fixed price. Our in-house team of architects, project managers, and onsite superintendents collaborates with local subcontractors to complete every project — on time and on budget. Every time. Arenas • Athletic, Recreational, Student Centers • Residence Halls 321 Commonwealth Road Suite 201, Wayland, MA 01778 (508) 310-9922 www.stanmar-inc.com
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