PLAYgreen

Underhill Field: Not Grass, But Still Green

The new Underhill Field opened last month, and while the grass is not real -- the field is a state of the art synthetic turf called Sprinturf -- it is still very much a green product. All the rubber pellets in the field (that's the stuff that makes the field play like grass) are made from recycled truck and car tires, and the drain mat that the field is on top of, called DBS Dynamic Base System, is all made from recycled rubber as well.

Here are a few other green worthy facts from the project:

- Concrete from the demolition of the surface lot was recycled.
- Soil excavated for the project was used in other projects in the East Bay, including construction of a playing field in west Berkeley.
- Using an artificial field surface eliminates herbicide use and reduces water use (water is occasionally used to wash the field).

To learn more about Underhill, including open rec hours, please visit the Underhill web page on the Rec Sports web site.

How Do You Show Your Love for the Planet

At our Week of Love event, we gave our participants a chance to tell us how they show their love for the planet by playing, living and working in a sustainable fashion. The winner of the drawing won a Clif Bar bag filled with Clif Bar hats, water bottles, Mojo bars, a T-Shirt and so much more!

Although all of our drawing entries displayed great ways to show your love for the planet, our winner's was definitely top notch. What does she do to show her love for the planet? She conserves water, carefully purchases goods that are reusable and sets a example for her kids and others by being a good planet citizen. What do you do...add a comment to this post and let us know!

RSF Lights: Brighter, Greener

Have you noticed that the lights in the RSF Field House are quite a bit brighter? We’re part way through a full scale upgrade of our lighting systems that will reduce energy use, lower maintenance costs and provide better quality lighting in the gyms. Throughout the RSF, existing light fixtures will be replaced with high efficiency, high output fluorescent lamps and transformers, which will be equipped with occupancy sensors so that lights will automatically switch off when an area has been unoccupied for 20 minutes.

Why are we doing it? There are a lot of reasons; the biggest is the fact that increasing energy efficiency by installing new lighting equipment is one of the quickest and least expensive ways to reduce electrical demand. Once the project is complete – in June of 2008 – the reduction in energy use will be equivalent to removing 132,000 pounds of CO2 per year from the air. Another way to look at it: the avoided energy use is like switching off 760 100-watt light bulbs.

This change also makes good business sense. The energy savings are 252,000 kW-hours of electricity per year, for an estimated cost saving of $25,000. The total cost for the RSF Lighting Improvement Project is estimated to be $114,000, but 80% of that amount will be paid through a grant from PG&E. Thus, the RSF’s net cost is $23,000. So based on the energy savings, plus the PG&E grant, the project will pay for itself in less than one year.

The effect of the project is visible right now in the Field House. New fixtures have been installed and the light levels have dramatically increased. By June 2008, lighting will be improved throughout the RSF. Users will be able to see well even as RSF reduces both its costs and its contribution to global warming.

Now, when you’re working out at the RSF, your surroundings will be not only brighter, but greener.

Bike or Walk to Work; Clean up at the RSF

To encourage zero pollution commuting, Rec Sports is offering Locker Room Only memberships for $15 per month. Commuters arriving to campus by bike or foot can now use the RSF locker room to tidy up before going to work. Includes use of day lockers, showers and towels. Secure bicycle parking available at the RSF. Sign up in person at the RSF membership desk.

RSF Energy Savings

To save electricity at the RSF, Rec Sports recently shifted our 5 all-night custodians to day shifts. This improves the quality of life for our employees -- who now get home earlier to their families -- and also saves a ton of electricity. Now, all lights are out by 1AM when the custodians leave, instead of burning all night long. This simple change saves nearly one month’s worth of electricity each year (about 10% of our total electricity use).

Facebook Reforestation Project

Join. Plant. Grow.

We'll replant one tree in California forests damaged by fire for every new member of the Cal Rec Sports-RSF Facebook Group.

Cal Rec Sports, Bank of America and the Arbor Day Foundation are committed to restoring fire damaged California National Forests. With your help, we will be able to reach our goal of replanting 2,000 trees by the new year. We will replant one tree for every new member up to 2,000.

Each tree we help plant will grow to provide habitat and food for wildlife, restore beauty to the landscape, clean rivers and streams, and provide enjoyment for recreational activities like camping, hiking, and fishing. Details on what types of trees will be replanted, location of the selected California National Forest and when the replanting will occur will be available in late Spring.

Your support will directly benefit California National Forests for generations to come!

Join the Cal Rec Sports - RSF Facebook Group