Brand new readiness center opens for the 29th IBCT

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Ryan Sheldon | The dedication ceremony for the 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team Readiness Center was held on Aug. 2, 2014, at Kalaeloa, Hawaii. The 29th IBCT Readiness Center is a 55,000 square foot building that is comprised of an auditorium, assembly hall, administrative spaces, storage, vaults, locker rooms, information technology rooms and classrooms.  

KALAELOA, HI, UNITED STATES

08.02.2014

Story by Staff Sgt. Ryan Sheldon 

117th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment (Hawaii)

KALAELOA, Hawaii – Soldiers of the 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team have a new reason to be proud members of the Hawaii Army National Guard. The dedication ceremony, held Aug. 2, 2014, informed Soldiers, VIPs and community members on how the newly built 29th IBCT Readiness Center was designed and built in accordance with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). Guests included Gov. Neil Abercrombie and Brig. Gen. Joseph K. Kim.

LEED is a green building certification program that recognizes best-in-class building strategies and practices. The program establishes uniform standards for new buildings that focus on environmentally-friendly design, construction and operation, like recycling waste heat from the air conditioning chiller to provide hot water, which will dramatically reduce its dependency on natural gases.

“The military as a whole has to look at ways to economize and be a good steward of the environment,” said Col. Stephen F. Logan, 29th IBCT commander.

In today’s world, fiscal dollars are becoming scarce for the Department of Defense, but with the use of LEED technology, the National Guard saves money with its design, technology and environmental practices.

“Hawaii’s mostly year-round sunny weather,” said Logan “which gives us an opportunity to produce enough, if not more, energy than we actually utilize throughout the workday.”

This building didn’t only feel necessary, but was a requirement for us to sustain the kind of philosophy we want to instill on the Soldiers of the future.

“New government buildings with LEED technology set a standard in the community,” said Col. Stanley Toy, deputy brigade commander “We, as a government agency, need to make sure we are not a burden to the people we serve, so it is in our best interest to be energy efficient and lead by example.”

• Date Taken: 08.02.2014
• Date Posted: 08.09.2014 17:28
• Story ID: 138891
• Location: KALAELOA, HI, US