WNEC opens Southwood Hall, an eco-friendly dormitory
Date: 9/1/2009
By G. Michael Dobbs
Managing Editor
SPRINGFIELD -- Western New England College (WNEC) has an economic stimulus package all its own. The college has just completed an $11.5 million residence hall and is currently constructing a new science building that will house the college's new pharmacy school with a price tag of $40 million.
Both projects were funded completely with private dollars, David Kruger, the college's former long-time vice president of finance and administration, who now after his retirement, is WNEC's director of special projects.
Southwood Hall, the new residence hall, is the first on the campus to emphasize "green" applications in its design. The four-story building, which will house 148 students, is heated by a geothermal system that draws from wells drilled underneath the building for heating and cooling. Kruger said it is the third geo-thermal building on campus and the system will pay for itself in two and a half years.
Kruger added that individual rooms could be heated or cooled, which gives the college savings with using the building for summer programs that might not fill every room.
Southwood Hall has solar heating panels to supply hot water to the dormitory and a storm water recovery system to save rainwater for irrigation.
Inside, Kruger noted the appliances are all Energy Star-rated and the rooms and suites feature low flow toilets, rubber tile flooring -- which is "greener" than vinyl -- cabinets made from bamboo rather than wood and compact fluorescent lighting.
Marble countertops aren't a sign of affluence in the building, but are considered more eco-friendly than other surfaces. Local labor and materials were used whenever possible.
The entire building has wireless Internet for the students.
Kruger said the next building would be another residence hall built next to Southwood that should be open in the fall of 2011.
The science building, Kruger said, will expected to be open at the earliest in January 2011.
