Sun-N-Fun RV Resort and Campground: Indoor Pool Building

Overview

As a green business partner, Sun N Fun RV Resort is going above and beyond to make a positive impact on our community. From a green building perspective, they have made a commitment to have three USGBC LEED certified buildings. The housekeeping building and the indoor pool building are recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council as a LEED silver facility and the recreation center is recognized as a LEED gold facility. The LEED Gold Certified 18,000 SF Lifestyle Wellness Center was designed for a Florida based Resort. Looking to attract the baby boomer generation, the resort sought to provide a higher class of services. The building is comprised of a therapy spa, an indoor 25 meter lap & therapy pool, second floor exercise rooms that overlook the pool, along with an aerobics studio, steam & IR sauna rooms, dressing/locker facilities and access to adjacent existing exterior pools.

The sustainably minded client required the pool building to be both healthy & energy efficient. To this end the building utilizes passive architectural features to lower energy demand, such as large overhangs on the south side to shade the against the harsh Florida sun. While the north face maximizes glazing for additional day lighting without added heat gain. Additionally, “active” systems include two 5,000 gallon cisterns to collect rain water and HVAC condensate, a state of the art cooling/dehumidification systems and lighting controlled by occupancy and daylight sensors provide the right amount of light when needed.

The LEED Gold project also utilizes an insulated concrete form (ICF) wall system and impact/insulated rated windows providing a highly insulated envelope. Low & no VOC finishes were used throughout as well as materials containing high quantities of recycled content.

SUN-N-FUN is committed to recycling programs and waste reduction. One of their major challenges was to create a recycling program for all of our guests and residents at the resort. Through engagement and encouragement efforts, we were able to design a program that was easy for all guests to participate in. We also recycling and promote the recycling of used oils, paints, batteries, electronics, light bulbs, as well as donate unwanted items to local charities when possible.

By completing a comprehensive energy audit, SUN-N-FUN looks to reduce our footprint and address future projects related to energy reduction. Capital projects include a geothermal energy capture system for dehumidification and pool heating, variable speed air conditioning units, and an energy efficient community room. Additionally, daylights sensors, automatically dimming lights, solar tube lights have been installed throughout the resort. SUN-N-FUN is focused on protecting our water resources. The resort is designed to use landscaping that relies predominantly on rainfall. By using Florida native, low-maintenance plants, we have reduced the need for irrigation. We have discontinued watering by 80%, only front gate and lawn bowling area irrigated. We have a rain water capture and harvesting system is used in toilet facilities throughout the resort. Additionally, we encourage guests and residents to be conscience of water conservation measures.

Sun N Fun RV Resort became a Sarasota County Green Business Partner in 2014. The Green Business Partnership (GBP) encourages environmental stewardship in the commercial sector, and recognizes businesses that make an extra effort to operate in an environmentally responsible manner. This collaborative effort includes businesses, business organizations and local governments. The GBP was initiated through a grant awarded by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to Sarasota County. For more information about the Green Business Partnership visit: www.scgov.net/greenbusiness

Water CHAMP: Water Conservation Hotel and Motel Program. Water CHAMP is the free and easy towel and linen reuse program sponsored by the Southwest Florida Water Management District. Water CHAMP hotels and motels help conserve Florida’s water and reduce the amount of detergents going into the environment. Learn more about Water CHAMP.

This community association participates in the Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program for Community Associations. This program promotes sustainable landscape and natural areas management practices that reduce the nutrient load in stormwater runoff, by providing educational assistance to officers and board members of community associations and neighborhoods, and their associated property management and landscape maintenance contractors. This UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County program offers on-site educational programs that include recommendations on overall design, selection and maintenance of plants, and problem areas. The program also offers presentations to groups on a variety of topics including Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Principles, Improving Irrigation Efficiency, Native Plants, Selecting a Landscape Maintenance Company and others. Of the more than 500 participating communities represented on this map, approximately 90% have implemented changes to create landscapes that are more ecologically in step with the surrounding environment. For more information about the Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program for Community Associations, please contact UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County.

Green Businesses and Buildings of Sarasota County
updated 09/2016 by Sarasota County Green Map