The LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System is a voluntary, consensus-based standard to support and certify successful green building design, construction and operations. LEED provides a nationally recognized certification system to promote integrated, whole-building design practices in the building industry.

The Grand Rapids Rowing Association is committed to completing Phase II of the boathouse in compliance with LEED standards. Our board of directors includes a LEED Accredited Professional, as well as a current board member of the United States Green Building Council's West Michigan Chapter. Additionally, a preliminary analysis of our Phase II plans has shown that we expect to be able to accomplish a rating of LEED Silver, in the LEED for New Construction and Major Renovations (LEED-NC) Rating System.

A LEED Silver boathouse would be the first of its kind in the nation, and we feel would also provide an important educational opportunity for club members and participants, as well as boathouse visitors (and passersby on the White Pine Trail) of the importance and benefits of sustainable building and site design, especially in the context of a clean and environmentally sensitive sport such as rowing.

Please contact Landon Bartley, Mark Buczek, or Mike Stemo to learn more about the GRRA's plans for LEED Certification for the boathouse, or the West Michigan Chapter of the United States Green Building Council to learn more about LEED.