Athletics Scores with Sustainability

Wake Forest University Athletics is helping to reduce the university’s carbon footprint by reducing energy use. A state-of-the-art LED lighting system in the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial (LJVM) Coliseum court cuts energy use by over 90% and offers a superior viewing experience both in person and on television.

“The updated lighting in the coliseum has greatly improved the fan experience during Wake Forest sporting events.  The LED lights are much more versatile and allow Sports Marketing to use strobe effects and multiple colors during breaks in the action,” John Champlin, Assistant Director of the Professional Development Center and Wake Forest basketball fan, reported. “Overall, the entertainment factor has been greatly increased.”

The university removed a total of 395 high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps and incandescent bulbs, and replaced them with 78 LED fixtures that produce a brighter, cleaner light to the arena floor. The reduction from 419,000 watts to 32,832 watts with the LED system represents a 92 percent energy savings.

The LED lights dramatically improve the lighting quality of the coliseum while practically eliminating maintenance costs — LED fixtures last for over 10 years. The new systems also offers:

• Efficient controls – Provides instant on/off capabilities and dimming controls for when full power of the system is not needed.
• Special effects and visual experience – A control board for special effects allows for customized lighting for pre-game introductions, concerts, and other special events.
• Cost savings – The system will reduce energy consumption and associated costs at the Coliseum by 92 percent compared to previous lighting equipment.

“Wake Forest University Facilities and Campus Services has standards for renovation and new construction projects that incorporate sustainable products and practices. When the time came to replace the existing lighting in the LJVM Coliseum court, LED light fixtures were the perfect replacement,” Wendy Wooten, Senior Project Manager of Facilities & Campus Services, said in regards to the update.

In addition to their work at the Coliseum, the athletics department is currently renovating the varsity locker rooms in Manchester Athletic Center, enhancing the student-athlete experience while incorporating sustainability into the design. The sustainable features include:

• Occupancy sensors – These sensors automatically turn off lights and exhaust fans when not in use.
• Dual flush toilets – Unlike traditional toilets that use 3.5 gallons of water per flush, dual-flush toilets offer a 1.6 gallon high-volume flush and 1.1 gallon low-volume flush, resulting in a 63 to 69 percent reduction.
• Low flow shower heads – These low flow shower heads have a flow rate of no more than 1.5 gallons per minute, resulting in a 50 percent reduction in water compared to previous shower heads.
• Low flow faucets – Water consumption was reduced by 67 percent by installing faucets that use .5 gallons per minute versus 1.5 gallons per minute.
• Built-in recycling receptacles – Labeled with a “Go Deacs, Go Green” logo, these containers make recycling convenient and simple.