Georgia College & State University Wellness and Recreation Center Goes Green and Holistic
Located in Midgeville, Georgia, the new Georgia College & State University Wellness and Recreation Center relied on PENETRON materials to improve the durability of the structure while reducing the environmental impact of the Center.
The Georgia College Wellness Center invites students to take a proactive and holistic approach to their health. The 101,000 square foot (9,190m2) facility spans three floors and includes an Olympic-sized swimming pool, lounge pool, indoor track, basketball and tennis courts, fitness center, climbing wall and extreme activities facilities.
Green Certification
The center was also designed and constructed with holistic goals to help the project meet stringent LEED Silver program requirements. The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) programs provide a rating system for the design, construction and operation of buildings according to “green” standards that ensure a minimal environmental impact. This new Center takes that philosophy one step further by promoting the health of the students and the region.
A key part of the LEED accreditation is the capture and use of rainwater that is collected from the footprint of the building and stored in underground tanks. This storm water is filtered and treated before it is recycled for use in the pools, restrooms and for indoor plant life.
Thanks to PENETRON ADMIX
“Thanks to the ability of PENETRON ADMIX to make concrete impermeable to water penetration, PENETRON was chosen by Fowler Flemister Concrete and approved by the design engineers to waterproof the storm water collection system,” notes Christopher Chen, Director of The PENETRON Group. “PENETRON ADMIX waterproofed the structure by developing crystals in the natural microscopic openings in concrete (pores and capillaries), eliminating the use of liners that contain VOCs or tar and rubber. This was a key factor in the LEED certification.”
Shotcrete Mixture Enhances Functionality
PENETRON ADMIX was used in a shotcrete application for the pool construction. Added to the shotcrete at the time of concrete batching, PENETRON ADMIX and concrete materials were applied to the walls and slabs of the structures through pneumatically delivered shotcrete techniques. This PENETRON Admix Enhanced Shotcrete (PAES) system provided more flexibility, higher in-place densities, lower permeability and ease of application – along with greater chemical protection, corrosion protection and waterproofing.
Ultimately, PAES helped preserve precious water resources and optimized the efficiency of the Center’s water recycling structures.
Crews place the PENETRON ADMIX Enhanced Shotcrete (PAES) mixture in the pools at the Center to ensure waterproofing and chemical resistance for the structure.
As part of the LEED certification, PENETRON ADMIX was used to waterproof the water collection system at the Wellness Center, further enhancing the local environment.
