In fall of 2014, the COC opened the Activity Center, designed and constructed with sustainability at the fore. The building consists of two wings – a gym with a seasonal waxing/bike shop in the basement, and a large lodge space containing a café (open in the winter only), ski shop, and seating area with a wood stove. The lodge space can be subdivided into several classrooms or meeting spaces as needed.
The roof is covered by 3,000 square feet of solar panels, and the window sizes and roof overhangs were optimized to maximize passive solar heating in the winter and minimize it in the summer. The radiant floor is heated with water from our central heating system, and the wood stove provides supplemental heat in the winter. An EarthTube air exchange unit help maintain comfortable temperatures without additional energy use, and summertime cooling is primarily through passive ventilation. The concrete floor slabs and insulated concrete form (ICF) walls provide high thermal mass so that the building resists temperature changes, while well-sealed windows and doors minimize infiltration of cold winter air. The bathrooms contain low-flow fixtures, Clivus composting toilets, and showers on timer systems, all to minimize water use and water-heating energy expenditures. Consideration was given to local sourcing of materials. The interior siding is spruce/fir from New Hampshire, pine countertops and tabletops are from Morrisville, and Cedar furniture legs are from on site at the COC.