Babson Skating Center, MA

Design-Build Engineer: GreenerU, Inc

Babson shoots and scores on the energy upgrade at the Skating Center with B|E Retrofit’s comprehensive weatherization design and installation services.

The Challenge

The Skating Center is a mixed-use office and rink facility that operates 365 days a year. The facility’s energy demands are hefty: refrigeration for the 200’x85’ ice surface, dehumidification for over 450,000 cubic feet as well as conflicting heating and cooling requirements for much of the year.

During our first site visit – a 95°F day in August – excessive fog and condensation in the rink made it clear that the mechanical equipment alone was not able to overcome the extreme loads in the building.

The Solution

A sophisticated building envelope retrofit design was required to isolate the different interior environments and block the major indoor-to-outside air leakage and heat loss pathways.

The success of the comprehensive retrofit was clear during a scorching hot summer day after the project was complete. On this return visit we found a dramatic change in the building; no fog cloud above the ice and a solid ice surface as a result of the building envelope measures installed.

• Closed cell spray polyurethane foam wall insulation (installed from the exterior)
• Compartmentalization of the office and locker room spaces from the rink
•  Roof-wall intersection air sealing (installed from a 40’ articulating lift)
•  Weatherization at doors, service penetrations and mechanical rooms

Download this Case Study.