Ball Diamond Isn’t the Only "Green" Feature Planned for New Downtown Stadium

Sustainability Is Changing Architectural Playing Field

(OMAHA, Neb. – March 20, 2008) – Following a national trend toward making athletic venues more environmentally conscious, Omaha’s proposed downtown stadium will be “green” both on and off its baseball diamond, according to Martin DiNitto, AIA, associate principal with HOK Sport in Kansas City and Bruce Carpenter, AIA, project principal architect with HDR.

“It is a program objective to make the facility environmentally conscious and incorporate as many green building elements and concepts as possible,” DiNitto noted. “It’s something that’s increasingly part of the design for large baseball facilities around the country.”

Following sustainable principles and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) guidelines not only benefit the environment, but will also benefit the community and increase the stadium’s operating efficiency,” Carpenter said. LEED is a national rating system for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings.

“For example, environmentally sensitive design solutions can reduce impacts to air quality and reduce the amount of waste going to the landfill,” Carpenter noted. “They also can reduce energy and water use, therefore reducing operational costs. This approach will provide value to the stadium project.”

DiNitto cited the example of HOK’s ballpark for the Washington Nationals, which will be the first Major League Baseball stadium that LEED certified. According to DiNitto, there were no LEED-certified sports venues four years ago. Today, HOK has eight LEED sports projects underway.

Among the sustainable design opportunities listed in the CWS Stadium Committee’s pre-design plan are:

  • Strategies for water efficiency that reduce or eliminate the use of potable water for inappropriate uses.
  • Energy optimization and atmosphere protection.
  • Strategies for materials conservation, recycling and the purchase of environmentally preferred resources.
  • Optimal indoor air quality for a healthier and more comfortable interior environment.

Specific features found in environmentally conscious sports facilities include recycled construction materials, water heated with infrared units and water-retention systems that treat storm water and reduce runoff.
“The new stadium will feature larger clubhouses, so there’s more opportunity for natural daylight, which is a real amenity for student-athletes,” DiNitto said. “Daylight and views will also be planned for assembly areas, administrative offices, the View Club and staff areas”

The stadium will be designed to meet the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Standard 62.1 Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality. The purpose of that standard is to specify minimum ventilation rates and indoor air quality that is acceptable to occupants while minimizing the potential for adverse health effects.

At present, we do not have a mandate to make the stadium a LEED-certified facility,” DiNitto added. “But we’re certainly sensitive to the new environmental standards and the advantages of modern sports venues that are more eco-friendly.”

About HOK
HOK has been the industry leader in the design of professional baseball facilities for the past 25 years, completing more than 70 new ballpark and renovation project in that time frame. Currently, HOK Sport has two new minor league ballparks under construction, each opening in April, 2008: Coca-Cola Park (Class AAA) in Allentown, Penn. and Arvest Ballpark (Class AA) in Springdale, Ark.