The Fairfax County Park Authority’s Cub Run Rec Center was awarded First Place at the 2024 ASHRAE Region III Technology Awards, in the Public Assembly Facilities category, for recent facility improvements, which significantly reduced the building’s energy consumption. ASHRAE’s Technology Awards recognize outstanding achievements by members who have successfully applied innovative building design in the areas of occupant comfort, indoor air quality and energy conservation.

The projects at Cub Run Rec Center, completed in November 2022, included an upgraded pool heat recovery system to more efficiently heat water and building automation system optimization to save energy and reduce peak electric demand. Both projects were undertaken as the previous systems had reached the end of their useful lifespan, and the Park Authority intentionally sought to replace previous systems with sustainable and energy efficient technologies. As a result, the Cub Run Rec Center experienced a 60% reduction in total energy usage and approximately $316,000 of avoided energy costs during the first year of operation.

“The preservation and conservation of natural resources is a key component of the Park Authority’s mission – making these types of capital projects a natural fit for our facilities,” Park Authority Executive Director Jai Cole remarked. “As the county’s largest landowner, we are proud to demonstrate energy efficient practices to show that they do, in fact, make a difference both to the environment and to the bottom line. This smart, successful approach to facility improvements is something that we are replicating at Park Authority facilities across the county as systems reach the end of their useful life and require replacement.” 

Through these efforts, the Park Authority is also contributing to the energy and greenhouse gas reduction goals established in Fairfax County’s Operational Energy Strategy.

ASHRAE is a global society advancing wellbeing through sustainable technology for the build environment. The Society and its members focus on building systems, energy efficiency, indoor air quality, refrigeration and sustainability within the industry. As a recipient of this regional award, the Cub Run Project is eligible for a Society-level award to be announced in early 2025.

For more information, contact the Public Information Office at parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.