By Bob Recotta
The Corning Leader

CORNING | The new Corning Children's Center facility does more than provide a more spacious atmosphere for children and staff.

It also provides a more energy efficient and healthy space.

The center, which opened its new facility in July, was recently awarded the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver Certification by the U.S. Green Buildling Council.

Christine Sharkey, director of community affairs for Corning Enterprises, said the concept of working for the certification came from Corning Inc.'s Global Energy Group after the architect, D. W. Arthur and Associates, had already designed the building located at 107 Arthur Street.

"We said we'd do it as long as it fit the budget," Sharkey said.

Certification is based on a point system. Points are awarded for everything from using environmentally friendly cleaning materials to having a recycling program to using green materials and processes during construction.

"It created a challenge for our construction manager, Welliver McGuire," Sharkey said. "They had to provide documentation of dust management during construction, construction waste. We went through the old building and took an inventory of everything we were moving to the new building to show it didn't go into a landfill."

The new building includes many features which make it more eco-friendly.

Peigi Cook, executive director of the center, said the building is full of windows and skylights to take advantage of natural lighting and reduce the need for electric lights.

Walk-off areas at the playground entrances helps contain dirt in one area. This makes the building easier to clean.

Cook also pointed out the numerous plants and recycling bins in every classroom.

The building also has a carbon dioxide exchange unit. Sensors measure the carbon dioxide levels. When levels get too high, it triggers the air circulation system.

The sensors eliminate the need for the circulation system to run constantly.

Cook said going green has had other advantages as well. She said she's seen fewer illnesses among both staff and children since the building opened.

She attributed it to a combination of factors. The carbon dioxide exchange unit keeps the air circulated, minimizing the number of airborne germs.

The walk-off areas help keep floors clean, which Cook said is important since the children spend a great deal of time on the floor.

"Most days we only have two or three kids sick," Cook said. "And all the staff are usually here."

The Corning Children's Center is owned by Corning Inc., but is open to the entire community.

Company awarded certification Along with the Corning Children's Center facility, Welliver McGuire has been involved in several other "green" buildings. The Montour Falls-based company and its partners were recently awarded the U.S. Green Building Council's highest certification - LEED Platinum for work on RIT University's Services Cetner. It's the first certified LEED Platinum building in Monroe County and includes solar panels, and funiture made from bamboo.