By CINDY LADAGE
Illinois Correspondent

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — On May 19, the Springfield Park District opened a new “green” addition, Erin’s Pavilion. Named after Butch Elzea’s late daughter, Erin, he spearheaded this effort to create a community center and park that is accessible to everyone no matter what their physical status.

“The building is also a national model on target to receive a platinum LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certificate, which is the greenest award a building can receive,” said Diane Mathis of the Springfield Park District. “There are only 100 or so in the world.”

Some of the features which make the pavilion so green include linoleum created out of 75-80 percent recycled material, counters made out of Paperstone – which is  created from paper – and doors of wheat core and bamboo veneer.

“Lights and illumination are activated by occupancy, as well as the heating and cooling,” Mathis added. “We have a hydrothermal system that is like a geothermal, and solar panels using natural resources, to decrease our utility costs.”

The Pavilion is built to capture natural light to use less electricity. A wind turbine is planned, that should be constructed by this fall. For more information about Southwind Park (see related article) or Erin’s Pavilion, call 217-753-0702 or visit www.southwindpark.org