TUCSON, ARIZ.—As the biggest opening to hit Tucson since Sol Casinos launched Casino Del Sol 10 years ago, the Casino Del Sol Resort, Spa and Conference Center knows the expectations are high. Seeking to not only meet those high expectations, but raise them, Sol Casinos announced its 215-room, 161,000-square-foot resort, opening on November 11, 2011, has earned inclusion in the Arizona Hotel & Lodging Association’s Certified Green Lodging Program.
To become certified under this program, properties must achieve a minimum of 150 points in 15 categories, which outline green initiatives in every aspect of the property, from the administrative offices to housekeeping, landscaping to guestrooms to kitchen and food. The Casino Del Sol Resort scored 292 points, almost double the points needed to become certified.
“The opening of the new Casino Del Sol Resort, Spa and Conference Center is an exciting and proud time for the Pascua Yaqui Tribe and Tusconans alike,” said Wendell Long, Sol Casinos CEO. “Earning green certification for the property has always been a goal of ours as we raise expectations for guests—everything from amenities to responsibility and respect for the land.”
Even though the resort is now certified green, the work has just begun. Aggressive plans to integrate sustainability into every aspect of the property have been outlined in the Casino Del Sol Sustainability Education Empowerment Development (SEED) Initiative. Developed by the youngest LEED Accredited Professional in the country, Cornell University student Cory Furst, the SEED Initiative will achieve the property’s environmental pursuits by implementing standards that conserve the Earth’s natural resources, reduce waste, decrease pollution, and conserve energy. Beginning with immediately actionable practices like installing energy efficient LED and compact fluorescent lights, to working toward future practices like composting and occupancy sensors for lighting, the SEED Initiative is positioning the Casino Del Sol Resort, Spa and Conference Center as a leader in sustainability and green practices in the Arizona hotel industry.
“Our goal was to provide Arizona hotels with the tools and the incentive to be as green as possible, and to communicate to environmentally-conscientious visitors that Arizona has a surplus of lodging options for them,” said president and CEO of the Arizona Hotel and Lodging Association, Debbie Johnson. “With their continuous and ongoing sustainability efforts, the Casino Del Sol Resort, Spa and Conference Center is a shining beacon in our efforts to put Arizona on the map.”
