Going Green in a Big Way: Greek Peak Mountain Resort One of Central New York’s Largest ‘Green’ Construction Projects

Hope Lake Lodge & Indoor Waterpark at Greek Peak Mountain Resort not only blends with its breathtaking environment aesthetically, but is designed to preserve it as well. This expansive construction project — begun in 2008 and nearly finished — will be one of the largest “green” building projects in Central New York. Being environmentally conscious is vital to both the management and condominium residents of Greek Peak Mountain Resort Hope Lake Lodge & Indoor Waterpark.

“We put a great deal of thought into creating the perfect balance between elegant design and environmental preservation,” says Al Kryger, President of Greek Peak Mountain Resort. “Our commitment to sustainable construction can be found at even the smallest level. From energy efficient building materials to water conserving fixtures, we want our property to represent environmental responsibility. Currently we are working with the New York State Energy Research Development Authority to obtain LEED certification for the project.” Some prominent “green” features include energy efficiency, water conservation, local sustainable furniture, and advanced VRV heating/cooling systems that provide superior indoor air quality. Also, recycling has been a strong priority for 30 years and will continue at all levels of the entire resort.

What does it mean to be LEED certified?
According to the U.S. Green Building Council,  “LEED is an internationally recognized green building certification system, providing third-party verification that a building or community was designed and built using strategies aimed at improving performance across all the metrics that matter most: energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality, and stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts.” Being LEED certified means the contractor/owner has taken a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in the following key areas:

Sustainable Sites: The Sustainable Sites category discourages development on previously undeveloped land; minimizes a building’s impact on ecosystems and waterways; encourages regionally appropriate landscaping; rewards smart transportation choices; controls stormwater runoff; and reduces erosion, light pollution, heat island effect and construction-related pollution.

Water Efficiency: Builders are encouraged to use water smarter, inside and out, with more efficient appliances, fixtures and fittings, and to water-wise landscaping.

Energy & Atmosphere: LEED certified structures use a wide variety of energy-conserving strategies: commissioning; energy use monitoring; efficient design and construction; efficient appliances, systems and lighting; the use of renewable and clean sources of energy, generated on-site or off-site; and other innovative strategies.

Materials & Resources: Builders are encouraged to choose sustainably grown, harvested, produced, and transported products and materials, encouraging reuse and recycling, and reducing waste.

Indoor Environmental Quality: This category promotes strategies to improve indoor air quality as well as providing access to natural daylight and views and better acoustics.

Awareness & Education: Understanding that a green building is only truly green if the people in it use its features to maximum effect, this category aims to help homeowners, tenants and building managers better understand what makes their facility green and how to make the most of those features.

Innovation in Design: This category provides bonus points for projects that use new and innovative technologies and strategies to improve a building’s performance well beyond what is required by other LEED credits or in green building considerations not specifically addressed elsewhere in LEED. This credit category also rewards projects for including a LEED Accredited Professional on the team to ensure a holistic, integrated approach to the design and construction phase.

Greek Peak Mountain Resort, the largest Central New York ski resort was founded in 1958 and has remained at the leading edge of the ski industry with thirty-two trails, six aerial lifts, two surface lifts, beginners’ slope, two Terrain Parks, and a Progression Park. More than 250,000 skiers visit each winter! Now a four-season resort, it is located in New York’s scenic Finger Lakes region, conveniently just minutes from I-81. Amenities include three restaurants, a world-class customized spa, fitness center, and a 41,000-square-foot indoor waterpark. For more information regarding Greek Peak Mountain Resort Hope Lake Lodge & Indoor Waterpark visit their website at www.hopelakelodge.com.

Tags: Green Products, Resorts and Travel, Sustainability, Sustainability and Responsible Use