An environmentally friendly YMCA in Myrtle Beach earned national recognition Thursday.
The U.S. Green Building Council awarded the Claire Chapin Epps Family YMCA in Myrtle Beach with a LEED certification plaque Thursday. LEED recognizes the nation's high performance green buildings.
Pegram Associates and FBI Construction used sustainable strategies when constructing the building that's located at 5000 Claire Chapin Epps Drive.
14% less energy is used thanks to the insulation of exterior walls, sustainable roofing materials and the many large windows that allow natural sunlight into the building.
Construction of the building alone supported regional businesses because over 30% of the materials used were manufactured within 500 miles of its location.
Some of the location's features are designed to cut down on pollution. Bicycle racks are provided, those who drive green cars or carpool get preferred parking.
Highly efficient faucets, shower heads, dual flush toilets and waterless urinals have contributed to a 40% reduction in the amount of water used at the facility.
According to the U.S. Green Building Council, nearly 40,000 projects are currently participating in the commercial and institutional LEED rating systems.
