A lack of metrics and associated data to establish current performance is holding back efforts to improve water and energy efficiency at sports venues, according to a new report from the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS).
More data is needed at both an individual venue level and across the building type, the report says. “Some venues do not have the tools, resources, or training to effectively manage and measure their performance, while those that have undertaken steps to improve do not have the data to compare themselves with their peers to determine if they are leading the pack or if there is still much more to be done,” it says.
NIBS, the Green SportsAlliance, and the Environmental Protection Agency are working to fill in the knowledge gap, but more data from arenas and stadiums is needed. Improving efficiency requires cooperation from operations and other departments,sponsors, vendors and concessionaires, government, utilities, allied organizations, leagues and conferences, management companies, designers,athletes, and fans, the report says.
The report recommends using financing mechanisms to improve access to capital. Technologies and practices of particular interest include lighting, renewable energy,refrigeration, occupant comfort, field maintenance (including irrigation, grow lights, and hydronics), plumbing, and metering, measurement, and verification tools.
Related Stories
| Dec 18, 2014
Boston testing mobile building permit tracking app
The app called Permit Finder could free city employees from having to respond to the 30 to 40 permit status-related calls they receive each week.
| Dec 18, 2014
Deal on 2015 budget slashes most federal construction spending
The $1.1 trillion funding bill for fiscal year 2015 approved by Congress makes deep cuts in some construction programs, but the General Services Administration suffered just a short haircut by comparison.
| Dec 11, 2014
Mayor backs reform of Pittsburgh inspection, permitting practices
The proposal, among other things, would impose a rental registration program and fee targeted at keeping better track of problem landlords.
| Dec 11, 2014
Los Angeles mayor proposes earthquake retrofit program
The ambitious program would focus on some apartment buildings built before 1978 and concrete buildings constructed before 1976.
| Dec 11, 2014
Outdated building code hampering recruitment of high-tech businesses in New York State
New York State’s building code is outdated and is hampering the recruitment of high-tech employers, according to a coalition of construction, fire safety, and insurance industry groups.
| Dec 11, 2014
Defense Authorization Act rejects BRAC for 2017
The House of Representatives has passed the $584.2 billion Defense Authorization Act.
| Dec 4, 2014
New airports raising green standards to new heights
Recent airport designs are bigger and much more efficient, based on a look at recent projects in Mexico City, London, and China.
| Dec 4, 2014
Rock Hill, S.C., puts moratorium on multifamily construction
City officials say the flurry of apartment construction over the past year has strained resources, including public services and infrastructure.
| Dec 4, 2014
Ontario contractors renew push for prompt payment legislation
A new coalition of Ontario contractors, construction associations, suppliers and trade unions will push for a revival of prompt payment legislation late this year.
| Dec 4, 2014
Roofing material manufacturers extend research project on sustainable roofing
A coalition of trade groups is sponsoring continued analysis of a reroofing project at the Onondaga County Correctional Facility in Jamesville, New York.