Marquette University Announces Renovated Wellness and Recreation Facility

Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wis., recently revealed plans for a major renovation to the Helfaer Tennis Stadium and Recreation Center. The building will be reimagined as the Wellness + Recreation facility, and it will unite the school’s fitness and recreation services with its counseling center and medical clinic under one roof. A news release reports that the $80-million, 180,000-square-foot project is tentatively scheduled for completion by the end of 2024, pending the available funds.

The university is partnering with HOK and Workshop Architects to renovate the existing recreation center and build a new, three-story wellness tower. The tower will play home to the Marquette University Medical Clinic, the Counseling Center, and dedicated spaces for sexual violence prevention and alcohol and drug recovery programs. It will also include a variety of flexible and multipurpose spaces for group meetings.

Marquette Wellness Recreation Center
Photo credit: HOK and Workshop Architects

“This will be a transformational project for our campus, particularly our students,” said Marquette University President Michael R. Lovell. “Not only is this facility a key part of our Campus Master Plan, but it is also truly about building a culture of wellness at Marquette. When complete, the facility will position recreation, fitness, clinical and mental health services under one roof.”

New recreational amenities will include a large gym with basketball courts, fitness space and equipment, group fitness studios, a spin studio, tennis courts, a swimming pool, and administrative space for campus recreation staff. Construction crews will use the existing building footprint and parts of its structure but will replace all interior building systems.

“Marquette’s vision for the Wellness + Recreation Center acknowledges the relationship between physical activity and student mental health, well-being and academic success,” said Peter van den Kieboom, principal and architect at Workshop Architects. “Workshop is honored to have played our part in this important initiative, and we look forward to our continued collaboration.”

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Year-Round Schools Require Year-Round Indoor Air Quality Planning

    While many schools are out for the summer, year-round schools follow a more “balanced” schedule with shorter, more frequent breaks spaced throughout the school year. Even though this offers educational benefits, these facilities have less downtime for building maintenance. This can become an issue when facilities managers overlook the importance of routine HVAC maintenance and air duct cleaning services.

  • University of Idaho Debuts New Campus Housing Community

    The University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho, recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Vandal Village, a new campus housing community for graduate students and families, according to a news release.

  • University of Mary Washington Selects Builder for New Theater, Dance Facility

    The University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Va., recently announced that it has selected construction and development firm Skanska to lead a series of renovations and upgrades to fine arts facilities, according to a news release.

  • CSU Starts Construction on New Engineering Building

    Colorado State University in Denver, Colo., recently began clearing space for the construction of the new Don and Susie Law Engineering Future Technologies Building, according to a news release.