Solar-powered lodge debuts at Herkimer Diamond Mines

By COURTNEY POTTS

Observer-Dispatch

Posted May 03, 2010 @ 09:26 PM

HERKIMER - A new environmentally friendly camping-lodge design unveiled at the Herkimer Diamond Mines on Monday could soon become a model for similar facilities around the country, company officials said.

Diamond Mines owner and President Renee Scialdo Shevat said the year-long, $100,000 project to create the solar-powered lodge fit in with the larger mission of the local tourist attraction.

“We have actually become very passionate about educating so many consumers on a variety of sciences,” Shevat said. “And with the natural Herkimer diamond here and the majestic West Canada Creek, we really feel an obligation to do something now that is sustainable and really very environmentally sound.”

The “Solar 1” KOA Kamping Lodge is entirely powered by a 2-kilowatt solar panel system installed on its roof. A battery-powered back-up generator automatically kicks in during cloudy weather.

But its green features don’t stop there.

Designer Tim Gage of Phoenix-based building company Cavco Industries said the lodge also was constructed using recycled two-by-fours and contains formaldehyde-free wall insulation to reduce off-gassing. LED lights require less energy to run, and low-flow faucets and dual-flush toilets reduce water waste.

Shevat said the environmentally friendly touches carried over into design elements as well. The house features sustainable bamboo flooring, and an adjacent organic garden will allow guests to harvest their own vegetables in season.

KOA Lodging Director Mike Atkinson said the company is using the local lodge as a prototype and may build similar models elsewhere, or more here, if they prove cost-effective.

“This is the first one in the country,” Atkinson said. “It’s our prototype. And what really follows from here is cost-modeling and figuring out the ultimate savings.”