In fostering its philosophy of teaching sustainability while keeping up with its growing client base, the UCC decided to conduct a feasibility study to add an addition onto its multi-purpose facility that would increase capacity while serving as a year-round emergency shelter for the Red Cross. The addition is to become LEED® certified and incorporate as many sustainability and energy savings measures as possible to reduce future operations costs.

The multi-purpose facility will incorporate a geothermal heat exchange system, energy efficient lighting, and airtight insulation. Low-flow plumbing fixtures to conserve water and recycled-content building materials will also be incorporated into the design. These selections will help keep the costs of heating and maintenance down while providing sustainability measures that fit the UCC’s mission of outdoor ministry. The energy savings alone will be over 50% compared to a conventional building. Currently, the design team is pursuing a LEED® Gold rating for the project.