Temple to construct $20M health & wellness center on campus

At a cost of at least $20 million, the latest real estate development from Temple University will continue the school's investment in experiential learning and its efforts to revamp its athletics program.

The school plans to break ground this month on its new Student Health and Wellness Center at 15th Street and Montgomery Avenue in North Philadelphia.

“It enhances the overall student experience at Temple and addresses important needs identified in our Visualize Temple campus plan," said University President Neil D. Theobald in a statement.

Visualize Temple is the campus master plan that incorporated the input of more than 3,000 Temple students, alumni, faculty and staff.

The new center will house part of the College of Public Health, offering clinical training programs for students in the graduate physical and occupational therapy programs.

The two programs currently run out of the school's Health Sciences Center. Once the project is complete, they will relocate to the new center.

The multipurpose facility's academic area will have smart classrooms, laboratory spaces with the latest technology and lecture halls, as well as a unique apartment space where demonstrations can take place.

“The addition of an apartment suite, which complies with Americans with Disabilities Act access guidelines, will allow the college to fully prepare our students to understand the complexities and accommodations needed to assist individuals with disabilities and the elderly to live independently," said Laura A. Siminoff, dean of Temple's College of Public Health.

Temple, which was named a top tier research university recently, has incorporated more and more experiential and interdisciplinary learning opportunities for its students over the years – a shift the late Peter J. Liacouras began while school president. It was also tapped by the Department of Defense earlier this year to take part in a $317 million national research project.

The new Student Health and Wellness Center will also have an indoor recreation area that includes a 70-yard synthetic turf field, a climbing wall and a juice bar.

The field is for use by the school's athletic teams, as well as participants in Temple's 36 club sports and 10 intramural sports. The recreation area will also offer twice the amount of free-weight space currently available to students.

“Having a larger indoor field for our teams to practice is something we as a department and our student-athletes have certainly wanted,” said Director of Athletics Patrick Kraft. “This facility is another example of our commitment to providing the very best spaces and support for Temple student-athletes.”

Outside, a track will be available to the public.

Another potential investment in its athletic department – a $126 million stadium – is under evaluation following the University board's approval of a $1 million impact study.

Neighbors in the surrounding community, and even some students, have voiced opposition to the stadium project, which has tons of red tape to get through before shovels get anywhere near moving ground.

Construction of the new health and wellness center, designed by architecture firm Moody Nolan, will begin by the end of June. Temple is still negotiating with potential contractors for the job. The school said it expects the project to be complete by fall 2017.

Source: Philadelphia Business Journal