MJCCA Earns Grant to Go Green at its Dunwoody Campus

The Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta is getting greener, thanks to a grant from a local environmental foundation.

The MJCCA was awarded a $50,000 matching grant from Grants to Green, a partnership of the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta and Southface, which provides funding for environmental projects and education for non-profits in the metro area.

According to the MJCCA, improvements will include:

• a UV system and pool cover for the indoor pool

• motion sensors for lighting in the gymnasium

• lighting improvements, including high bay fluorescent lights, energy-saving T8 lamps and photocell control for main building lighting

• a misting system that will collect and utilize rainwater to cool the rooftop HVAC units

"By educating the next generation on the importance of conservation, we believe that the MJCCA can make a significant impact on the environment today and in the future," said MJCCA President Garrett Van de Grift, in a press release. 

The center has been focused on being green since an energy audit in 2008. Since then, it has begun recycling, and changed it HVAC system to be more efficient. The changes have cut 19.5 percent of energy and water usage, saving around $75,000 annually, according to the MJCCA.

The new grant will cover the remainder of the assessment recommendations from the 2008 audit.