A proactive plan to ‘green’ the entire construction process is being carried out by building an environmentally conscious stadium. Scheduled to open in 2012, it will be the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) – certified ballpark in the US with a retractable roof. Officials are aiming for LEED-Silver certification. The $642 million ballpark is designed to meet LEED’s five fundamentals of green building: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.
At the construction site all waste is recycled, most building materials are made locally and pieces of old concrete from the demolished Orange Bowl are repurposed into support beams. Ecological footprint of the stadium is reduced by controlling storm water runoff, recycling 90% of waste material and limiting the spread of hazardous chemicals.
The completed stadium will feature a heat-reflecting white roof, low-emission products to maintain air quality and large glass panels for increased natural lighting. The facility decreases automobile emissions by promoting easy access public transportation, offering about 2,000 spaces for bicycles.
The Marlins will share Sun Life Stadium with the NFL’s Miami Dolphins and the Miami Hurricanes football team.
