Niagara Community Center
Niagara Falls, NY
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US Northeastern Climate Cold Winters
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Ground Source Heat Pump via Vertical
Loop System -
21,600 Square Feet
Multi-Use Indoor Sports and Education
Facility
Built for the Next Generation
The Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Niagara Community Center was created as a space where sports, education, and community come together under one roof. Designed to support youth development, local programming, and nonprofit collaboration, the facility serves as a year-round hub for activity and connection in Niagara Falls, NY.
From the outset, the goal was bigger than constructing a building, it was about creating a lasting community asset that is affordable to operate, environmentally responsible, and aligned with a mission of investing in future generations. Sustainability, long-term value, and community impact guided every major decision in the project.
Geothermal System
To support that vision, we designed and built the facility's geothermal heating and cooling system as a contribution to the project, donating its labor while equipment and materials were provided at cost through foundation support. We were able to dramatically reduce installation costs, bringing the total cost to $152,000, significantly less than the estimated $350,000 required to bring gas service onsite and install a conventional HVAC system.
The system uses multiple heat pumps connected to underground loop fields installed beneath parking lots, making efficient use of site space while controlling upfront costs. Different areas of the building are served indepently, and variable-speed pumping automatically adjusts based on demand to reduce energy use. Smart controls allow temperatures to be tailored for different activities, delivering consistent comfort with minimal environmental impact. The result is a clean, high-performing system that operates without on-site combustion and supports the building's long-term sustainability goals.
34 Ton Forced-Air System
2 Slinky Horizontal Loop Fields
2 Mechanical Rooms Serving East & West Side of Building
Featuring:
- 6 Single-Stage Units
- 2 Flow Centers, Variable Speed Pumping
