Potter League Celebrates Achieving National Gold LEED designation

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse was there, as was State Senator Teresa Paiva-Weed, Connie McGreavy of the U.S. Green Building Council, Christie Smith and Sheila Reilly of the Potter League , Mrs. Claiborne Pell, the ARQ architects and the builders. The smallest state in the Union had achieved the first gold LEED designation for an animal shelter, and first public building in Rhode Island country, and everyone was celebrating.

Rhode Island State Senator Teresa Paiva Weed

In her opening remarks, Board President Sheila Reilly stated that " the place we live in is not inherited from our forebears, it is borrowed from our children. Careful use of resources create health and wellness.” The new shelter also incorporates kindness, both to the animals and the environment.

Ms. McGreavy said the 19,000 square foot shelter is also the first animal shelter to receive a gold designation for an animal shelter. “The Potter League for Animal’s Gold Level LEED certification puts Rhode Island at the forefront as we build a new, clean and green economy” said Senator Whitehouse, a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, “ and self-confessed “architect manqué.”

Connie McGreavy speaking

LEED is a third-party certification program and the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings.

Sending his praise for the Potter League’s accomplishment was noted environmentalist and former Vice President Al Gore who wrote, “Not only do your achievements reflect your organization’s commitment to bettering the environment, but also your commitment to improving the lives of animals.”

Board President Sheila Reilly with Senator Whitehouse

In her comments, Executive Director Smith underscored how the new, environmentally friendly animal shelter and education center is a reflection of the organization’s goal of making a difference and enriching the lives of both people and animals. “Green design means that this is a more inviting and healthy place for both the people and the animals that we serve. Utilizing these resources, we were able to solve many of the challenging issues animal shelters normally face, such as disease control, inadequate ventilation, poor lighting, inefficient systems and high utility costs.”

“Green design made good, practical sense to us,” added Sheila Reilly, board president. The new shelter can house up to 188 animals daily. Area municipalities that rely on the services of the non-profit Potter League include Portsmouth, Middletown and Newport.

President Smith unveiled the impressive round plaque, and cited Pete Peters for bringing the project in "on time, on budget, and on vision." ARQ architects Paul Bonacci and Lucy Schlaffer accepted a smaller plaque, and did Mike Behan and Jeff Lipshires of Behan Brothers Construction.