Drury University broke ground Friday on the O’Reilly Family Event Center and revealed that Springfield’s Pitt family has donated $600,000 to pay for the center’s Leadership in Environmental Energy and Design Gold certification.
The 65,000-square-foot center will be the first Gold LEED-certified arena in the country, according to a Drury news release. The Pitt family – which includes actor Brad Pitt and local businessman Doug Pitt – made the donation in honor of their father, William A. Pitt. The playing surface of the 3,100-seat arena will be named the William A. Pitt Court.
The original arena design called for a minimum of Silver LEED certification. Features will include low-flow water fixtures, a dedicated recycling area and a solar-reflective roof and pavement materials, the release said. Read more. Thanks Gabriella.