Following 11 months of construction, the main building at the Daytona Beach Kennel Club & Poker Room has been named the first gaming facility in the nation—and the first building in Daytona Beach—to achieve LEED Gold Certification for energy efficiency. The complex was designed by JCJ Architecture, an award-winning firm with extensive green building experience.
The new main building, the first major change in the track’s 61-year history, is part of a $23 million revitalization and expansion of the Club, which offers live greyhound racing, plus pari-mutuel gambling on simulcasts of greyhound, thoroughbred and harness racing, and Jai-Alai from other arenas and tracks.
“As a result of our environmentally sensitive design, the use of carefully chosen building materials, specifying locally sourced components, and recycling construction materials, we’ve shown that facilities like this can be as efficient and money-saving as the most modern office tower or home,” explains Peter Stevens, JCJ Architecture’s president.
According to Mr. Stevens, to achieve the LEED Gold certification JCJ designed the main building to be 25 percent more energy efficient, and 40 percent more water efficient, than similar structures.
To achieve the energy savings, which will reduce annual operating costs by $40,000, JCJ designed the building with a highly reflective roof, additional wall insulation, and high-performance windows to reduce the building’s air conditioning needs in Daytona’s year-round warm climate. The building’s new, state-of-the-art conditioning installation, along with a photovoltaic solar hot water system, further reduces energy use.
The Club also will be buying 35% of its electricity from green, sustainable sources.
For enhanced water efficiency, the building’s lavatories have been outfitted with waterless urinals, ultra-low-flow basin faucets, and dual-flush toilets. Those steps, plus the use “gray water,” rather than potable water, for irrigation will save 350,000 gallons of water a year.
In addition to being more energy efficient, the Club’s buildings will have better indoor air quality than in typical buildings, as carbon dioxide levels and ventilation speed will be constantly monitored. Moreover, the JCJ design specified the use of low-gas-emitting carpets, paint, and indoor fixtures, along with extra air filtration, to improve indoor air quality still further.
To keep construction costs within budget, and add to the building’s energy efficiency, JCJ specified the use of pre-colored, recessed panels, reflecting the overall “Florida deco” feel of the building.
Give me five on green-gold pup: Florida dog track becomes first LEED-Gold gambling facility
