Today, Golden 1 Center announced it has received the WELL Health-Safety Rating for Facility Operations and Management designation from the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI). Another step toward preparing for the return of fans and guests, the WELL Health-Safety Rating for Facility Operations and Management is an evidence-based, third-party verified rating for all facilities, focused on operational policies, maintenance protocols, emergency plans and stakeholder education to address a current and post-COVID-19 environment and broader health and safety-related issues into the future. This rating builds upon the arena’s Global Biorisk Advisory Council’s (GBAC) STAR Facility Accreditation, received in December 2020, for achieving high standards of cleaning, disinfecting and infectious disease protection.
“We are committed to proactively investing in prevention and taking additional measures to keep our players, team members and our guests safe,” said Sacramento Kings President of Business Operations John Rinehart. “As we work toward welcoming fans back to the arena, this designation reinforces our commitment to rigorous standards for health and safety.
“Golden 1 Center was already working to put health and safety strategies into place and used the WELL Health-Safety Rating to further strengthen their COVID-19 response and to document and verify these actions,” said IWBI Chief Commercial Officer Jessica Cooper. “As a result, players, fans and staff can feel confident that the Golden 1 Center incorporates research-backed strategies to provide a safer and healthier environment.”
As a world-class standard for overall health and safety, the WELL Health-Safety Rating, created by IWBI, uses guidance directly from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It gathers direction from global disease control and prevention centers, emergency management agencies, and distinguished academic and research institutions that all serve as advisors for standard-setting groups. Additionally, the rating has been confirmed by a third-party verifier, Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI), which manages implementation of the LEED green building certification program.
To achieve this designation, Golden 1 Center shared their GBAC STAR certified strategies in the categories of cleaning and sanitization procedures, strengthened air and water quality management, emergency preparedness programs, health service resources, and stakeholder engagement and communications. The facility contracted with third party industrial hygienists to verify the air and water quality within the arena and worked with mechanical engineers to review the state-of-the-art air displacement HVAC system to maximize air changes and filtration per hour.
Since its opening in 2016, Golden 1 Center has seamlessly blended technology, sustainability, and entertainment – becoming known as the most technologically advanced and most sustainable arena in the world. Within its first year of operation, the arena achieved LEED Platinum Designation – placing it in the top 3 percent of all buildings certified, and has gone on to receive recognition as the 2017 Best Elite Sports Facility or Venue Award by Sports Technology Awards, the 2017 Sports Facility of the Year by Sports Business Journal and the 2017 Best Project in Sports/Entertainment by ENR California.
To learn more about the WELL Health-Safety Rating, visit WELLCertified.com.
