IRVINE, CALIF. — With sustainable best practices implemented by Linc Facility Services, AT&T Park, home of the San Francisco Giants, is the first Major League Baseball ballpark in the country to earn U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) LEED Silver certification for an existing building.
The ballpark’s LEED Silver certification is the result of the efforts of Linc and the Giants to incorporate conservation measures into the ballpark’s operating plan. These green initiatives have focused on areas such as water and energy efficiency, recycled materials and resources, improved indoor and outdoor air quality, and alternative transportation.
“Receiving LEED Silver certification for an existing building is like winning the pennant,” said Jorge Costa, senior vice president of ballpark operations. “We could not have accomplished this without Linc Facility Services, our other vendors, employees, and fans. However, this is an evergreen process, and we won’t stop refining and re-evaluating our sustainability and efficiency practices until we get to the Gold or Platinum level.”
“We are very proud to have helped AT&T Park become the first Major League Baseball park in the country to achieve LEED Silver certification in the existing building: operations and maintenance category,” said Linc Group President and CEO Tracy K. Price. “The Giants set this goal for themselves to better the environment, improve the ballpark, and enhance the fan experience.”
Linc has been the sole maintenance provider for AT&T Park since its opening in 2000. In 2004, Linc and the Giants started working together to incorporate green initiatives at the ballpark. When the Giants announced their plan last year for AT&T Park to be LEED certified, Linc stepped up to the plate and managed the entire certification process.
Some of the measures implemented at the ballpark to facilitate the LEED process include, but are not limited to, enhancing building automation system controls; installing Energy Star-rated flat panel monitors throughout the facility; implementing low-flush water closets, urinals, shower facilities, and aerators; re-commissioning the entire mechanical system; and implementing water conservation measures. This is also the first ballpark to install a solar energy system.
All of these energy retrofits were done incrementally and as part of an overall green program designed specifically for AT&T Park through Linc’s SustainableFM offering. SustainableFM leverages Linc’s technical facilities experts and LEED-accredited professionals to work directly with each client to develop a customized, sustainable game plan that aligns with their business objectives. The unique program is built on core pillars aligned with current USGBC programs and LEED criteria.