The Fairfax County Park Authority is proud to announce that it has been awarded the Virginia Energy Efficiency Council award in recognition of its exceptional energy efficiency improvements at the Spring Hill Rec Center. This honor highlights FCPA’s leadership in sustainability and its commitment to reducing energy consumption across its facilities.

Joshua Smith and Keith Snyder, of the Fairfax County Park Authority, accepted the award during the official presentation last week, expressing their gratitude for the recognition and sharing the importance of this landmark project.

"This award is a testament to our commitment to being stewards of Fairfax County’s natural resources," Snyder said. “Through initiatives like those at the Spring Hill Rec Center, we are not only protecting the environment for future generations but are also making smart financial decisions that benefit our community directly. This project demonstrates what is possible when we work together to integrate sustainable solutions into our parks and facilities."

The energy efficiency improvements made at the Spring Hill Rec Center reflect three key principles:

1. Environmental Stewardship: This project highlights FCPA’s role in ensuring these spaces are environmentally sustainable for generations to come. At the Rec Center campus, even unprogrammed land contributes to the building’s sustainability. Future residents and patrons will be able to recreate on the same ground that conditions the Rec Center.
2. Energy Efficiency and Cost Savings: The project achieved a 37% reduction in energy use. Through the County’s energy services contract (ESCO), utilities savings exceeded expectations, with a utility cost avoidance of more than $116,000 annually, far surpassing the guaranteed savings of $67,118. This project allowed the Park Authority to meet Fairfax County’s 25% energy reduction goal ahead of the 2030 milestone in the County Operational Energy Strategy.
3. Collaborative Effort: The Fairfax County Office of Energy and Environmental Coordination, energy services contractor CMTA, ICF and Washington Gas all played pivotal roles in funding, design, procurement and construction phases of the improvements. This diverse team worked collaboratively to thoroughly review the existing building equipment and HVAC systems at Spring Hill Rec Center and develop this creative option that enhanced maintenance and reliability.

"The Spring Hill Recreation Center project is not only one of the largest geothermal HVAC and solar installations in the county but also a proof of concept for large-scale energy retrofits and renewable integration," Kevin Smith, division manager of OEEC said. “This effort showcases how innovations like this can help us reach our goal of carbon neutrality in government operations by 2040. Energy efficiency remains central to our climate goals, and these partnerships are key to making ambitious projects like this successful.”

Spring Hill Rec Center is located at 1239 Spring Hill Road in McLean. For more information, visit the Spring Hill Rec Center website or call 703-827-0989. 

About Virginia Energy Efficiency Council

The Virginia Energy Efficiency Council is a statewide organization that promotes energy efficiency as a path to drive economic growth and environmental sustainability. The Council recognizes leaders who demonstrate commitment and innovation in energy efficiency practices that set benchmarks for other organizations across Virginia.

About Fairfax County Park Authority

Fairfax Couty Park Authority enriches the quality of life for all members of the community through an enduring park system that provides a healthy environment, preserves natural and cultural heritage, offers inspiring recreational experiences and promotes healthy lifestyles. Learn more by visiting the Fairfax County Park Authority website.