The Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association (IHLA) has honored the KeyLime Cove Indoor Waterpark Resort in Gurnee, Illinois with the StayGreen designation. This designation comes as a result of their proactive use of eco-friendly products and services to reduce its environmental impact.
IHLA’s StayGreen designation standards include efforts such as recycling and waste management programs; the use of Energy Star products; the use of only non-phosphate, nontoxic, biodegradable concentrated cleaning products and laundry detergent; and consumable paper products made from recycled fibers, such as tissue, napkins, paper towels, and toilet paper.
KeyLime Cove gives preference to product suppliers who provide and take back reusable packaging and shipping pallets. Environmentally friendly lighting is used throughout the hotel, waterpark, and parking lot, as well as the back-of-house offices and housekeeping. Each of the 414 guestrooms has a master light switch to encourage guests to turn out the lights when not in their room, while in-room signage also persuades guests to reuse their towels and linens during their stay. Additionally, KeyLime Cove repurposes sheets and towels and donates regularly to the Military Order of the Purple Heart Service Foundation.
“We are always looking ahead to new ways to be more environmentally sensitive while providing guests with a safe and fun experience,” says Dale McFarland, president and CEO of Veracity Hospitality, management company for KeyLime Cove. “Being green also means a healthier environment for our guests and staff, and that is particularly important since the majority of our guests are young children.”
Beyond IHLA’s list of green practices, KeyLime Cove uses the Ozone Disinfection System for improved water quality and clarity, as well as air quality. Ozone destroys 99.9 percent of bacteria, viruses, spores, fungus, and mold. This technology also helps reduce the energy needed to heat water and lowers chemical consumption, because it creates no harmful byproducts.
