Army National Guard Readiness Center, West Des Moines

An army readiness center supports the training, administration, and logistics of National Guard units by providing assembly space, classrooms, weapons and protective personal equipment storage, and training space. The Iowa National Guard Readiness Center in West Des Moines is a one-story, 50,350 square foot building serving two National Guard units, Company B 1-168 Infantry and 2168 Transportation Company.  

The new facility is on 35 acres of land owned by the City of West Des Moines. It will be leased to the National Guard, and in return, the city can use parts of the facility for community recreation and gathering purposes. This is a unique arrangement that benefits both the City of West Des Moines and the National Guard. 

The West Des Moines Readiness Center is pursuing LEED Silver certification, a move that will not only contribute positively to the environment but also enhance the well-being, comfort, and efficiency of the National Guard staff and the local community who will utilize the facility.  

A key aspect of securing LEED certification is the implementation of a rooftop solar energy system. It will capture sunlight and convert it into electricity, reducing the amount of energy drawn from the grid. This process effectively offsets electrical consumption, leading to energy savings and a smaller carbon footprint.