JAMESTOWN - The public is invited to attend a ribbon cutting for the new Science Center on Jamestown Community College's Jamestown Campus at 12:45 p.m. on Nov. 20.
The $12 million Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified building houses JCC's biology, biotechnology, chemistry, and geology programs.
Representatives of the Hultquist Foundation and Ralph C. Sheldon Foundation will participate in the ribbon cutting. The two foundations are lead donors for the project, contributing $1 million each toward the construction of the facility.
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The $12 million Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified building houses JCC’s biology, biotechnology, chemistry, and geology programs.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony precedes JCC's annual fall open house, which will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. The program is designed for high school students and their parents interested in learning more about the academic programs and student services JCC offers.
The 26,762 square foot facility opened officially for fall semester classes in August. Many environmentally progressive efficiencies and green technology features were incorporated into the physical structure. Some of the elements include:
The east-west orientation maximizes solar radiation exposure and enhances energy efficiency.
Through a rainwater harvesting system, rainwater and snow melt are collected in underground tanks located on the west side of the building, and filtered and pumped into the building as "gray water" for flushing toilets, watering plants in the 300-square foot greenhouse, and providing drip irrigation of the vegetative roof garden.
A vegetated "roof garden" or "green roof" covers roughly one-third of the building, providing habitat for wildlife, storm water erosion control and treatment, thermal insulation and moderation, and an outdoor botanical classroom.
Sun tunnels ("sun pipes") bring daylight from the rooftops into interior hallways to enhance natural day-lighting and reduce electricity use. Electrical lights in these spaces contain sensors to minimize power use during daylight hours.
Educational display cabinets allow light to penetrate hallways from the outside windows. Displays of specimens, models, and other educational materials are visible to passers-by.
Light shelves and sun screens diffuse additional natural light into the building without producing additional heat and limit the effects of intense summer sunlight, enhancing energy efficiency.
Windows and doors feature Solarban 80 glass, a high performance, Low-E glass for solar control.
Approximately 40 percent of the project area is a wetland meadow/habitat restoration space. The meadow habitat is seeded with native flowers, grasses, shrubs, and trees, restoring valuable wetland ecosystem functions and habitat for wildlife and providing outdoor laboratories and learning spaces.
Eastern and western pergola and canopy systems provide shading and native landscaping and plantings for wildlife surround the building.
Water-permeable pathways lead from the building to JCC's Hundred-Acre Lot. These porous, gravel pathways reduce storm water runoff and soil erosion, allow groundwater recharge, and afford students, faculty, and visitors easy access from the building to the Hundred-Acre Lot to observe native plant species in a natural environment.
The white roofing membrane is light reflective to minimize heat buildup and heat island effects in the warm weather months.
A demonstration photovoltaic solar array and a two-well geothermal well system showcase energy consciousness and conservation. Both operations are linked to a real-time digital dashboard panel displaying power consumption and energy savings associated with these carbon footprint reducing technologies.
Motion sensors monitor room occupancy and adjust lighting and energy utilization.
Recycled materials, contained in the building and furniture, and FSC-certified wood were used where possible to promote environmentally sustainable natural resource consumption.
Indoor environmental quality is assured by the implementation of low-emitting adhesives, sealants, paints, coatings, carpet systems, composite wood, and agrifiber products.
To commemorate the opening of the Science Center and showcase the opportunities and endeavors in science-related fields, a Celebration of the Sciences speakers series will be conducted throughout the coming year.
The first program in the series includes a lecture today and a field trip on Saturday to explore the effects of the Ice Age on the Chautauqua-Allegheny region.
For more information, call JCC, 338-1000.
