OUTSTANDING CONCRETE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Presented to the Goshen College for the Merry Lea Project

INDIANAPOLIS - The Indiana Ready Mixed Concrete Association (IRMCA) presented the 2006 Outstanding Concrete Achievement Awards for projects in the State of Indiana on December 5, 2006 at the Indianapolis Downtown Marriott.

The winner in the category of Concrete Infrastructure Projects – Pervious is the Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center of Goshen College. The Center is a natural sanctuary for Northern Indiana’s plants and animals and provides people of all ages with learning and research opportunities pertaining to environmental studies.

Use of the land at Merry Lea is highly restricted making the use of “Green Building” technology a natural fit. This is the first project in Indiana with the LEED “Platinum Level” goal in its design. The project incorporates features like solar and wind energy with the use of local materials, various site sustaining systems and the use of recycled/reused materials. Included in the recycled/reused category are the concrete mixes. All concrete used on this project contained both 'Fly-ash and Slag Cement'. The quantities used meet and/or exceed the values set forth by the LEED scoring system. In addition, the project includes approximately 25 cubic yards of Pervious Concrete walks. Not only does the pervious mix design meet LEED standards, but the pervious system has numerous environmental benefits pertaining to LEEDS.

The project team for Goshen College at Merry Lea is the owner/developer: Goshen College, the engineering firm: Engineering Resources, Inc., the architectural firm: Morrison Kattman Menze, Inc., the general contractor and concrete finisher: Hamilton Hunter Builders, and the ready mix producer: Keystone Concrete, Inc.

IRMCA presents these awards to recognize extensive application or imaginative use of concrete; and to honor the accomplishments of project owners, architects, engineers, contractors, owners and ready mixed concrete producers.

Images available upon request.