Groundbreaking for New Health & Wellness Center

Join us for a short program, shovel ceremony and reception

The official groundbreaking for the new Health & Wellness Center will take place on Monday, March 5, 2018 at 5 p.m. (Photo by Shiekainah Decano, IMC student photographer)

The official groundbreaking for the new Health & Wellness Center will take place on Monday, March 5, 2018, at 5 p.m. in the Howard Performing Arts Center on the campus of Andrews University. The program and shovel brigade will be followed by a short reception. All are welcome to attend.

The $17.5 million, 76,000 square foot facility is scheduled to open in the fall of 2019. It will have a swimming pool, recreation and event center with basketball courts, fitness and exercise areas and space for educational programs. The Oronoko Township Planning Commission approved the site plan and a special use permit for Indiana Michigan Power Company at a meeting on Feb. 6, 2018.

David Faehner, vice president for University Advancement, and President Andrea Luxton will open the groundbreaking program. Andrew von Maur, professor of architecture, will provide an architectural perspective, and Dominique Gummelt, director for University Health & Wellness, will present an overview of Andrews University's ongoing health and wellness initiative. Artur Stele, chair of the Andrews University Board of Trustees, will offer a prayer of dedication.

Additional members of the Board of Trustees and President's Council, President Emeritus Niels-Erik Andreasen and individuals from University administration and the student body will participate in the shovel brigade.

Construction began in September 2017 with the demolition of Hazen's Concrete Wall sculpture, which was located in the PMC traffic circle (formerly referred to as Hammill's Halo). At the same time, trees that were to be removed were marked. Most of the logs from the trees are being used as timber for an addition to the architecture building. The remaining trees will be ground into woodchips to be used on the nature trails behind the new Wellness Center location. Some large trees were saved as a buffer between Pioneer Memorial Church and the Wellness Center.

A new parking lot is almost complete and is already being used as overflow for services at Pioneer Memorial Church. Currently, lighting is waiting for approval, 75 percent of the storm sewer has been installed and rerouting of the water lines has been done. Construction is expected to resume in March, and a web camera will be installed to provide a live view as the center takes shape.

For additional updates on the Health & Wellness Center, visit andrews.edu/wellnesscenter.