The Wellness Center at Worcester State University expands fitness and recreational sports opportunities and offers an exciting venue for 19 varsity athletics teams. Supporting the school’s campuswide holistic approach to promoting wellness among students, faculty and staff, the facility is a new campus hub providing areas for the community to exercise, train, practice, study and socialize. The project is the culmination of a campuswide modernization effort that has helped the school transform from a commuter college to residential university.
Main programming elements include an elevated running track, a practice gymnasium, fitness and weight training space, group exercise rooms, multipurpose rooms, a golf simulator, a batting cage and the 1,500-seat competition gymnasium, which in addition to hosting intercollegiate athletics will be used for concerts, assemblies and other civic events.
The building interior was designed to create welcoming, light-filled spaces to greet students, athletes and visitors in this state-of-the-art facility. The design captures available daylight and uses large glass areas to create comfortable, open areas, as well as views out to the campus.
Branding elements such as the school logo and colors are featured throughout the building, promoting a sense of pride and school spirit. Large-scale graphics of past and current athletes with bold blue and gold accents are designed against a neutral material background. Flexible and comfortable lounge and café seating provides students with a variety of social areas from which to choose.
