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Student Wellness Center

  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Project History and Timeline
  • MMW & RDG
  • MMW & RDG
  • MMW & RDG
  • MMW & RDG
  • MMW & RDG

A NEW VISION FOR STUDENT WELLNESS

In April 2020, students voted by a margin of 66% for and 34% against to pass a fee to construct a new Student Wellness Center that integrates all student health services in a single facility alongside recreational and fitness spaces. This page provides background information as well as renderings and progress updates on the project. 

PROJECT PROGRESS
Groundbreaking was held Sept. 21, 2021, and demolition work is underway. Construction on the Student Wellness Center is anticipated to last approximately two years. The architect for the project is
MMW Architects in Missoula in partnership with RDG Planning and Design.The general contractor is Jackson Contractor Group.

  • Advantage of Student Wellness Center
  • Sustainable Features
  • Fitness and recreation improvements
  • Mental health counseling spaces
  • Holistic wellness
  • Clinical spaces

Advantages of a Student Wellness Center

The facility would conveniently co-locate all student health, counseling, and wellness services in a one-stop facility that would also include recreational and fitness activities. Students will have accessible and inclusive wellness resources that contribute to their overall health and well-being. Each student has their own path to health and well-being, and this facility will empower students to tend to the different dimensions of their holistic health in a convenient, modern and inclusive space. The space will also support enhancing community and connection among students which is a key component of wellness. Other universities where this integrated model has been adopted report more and better student access to the whole range of health and well-being resources and, in doing so, improved student success.

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Sustainable Features

In a continuing effort to be environmentally conscious, MSU is pursuing a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, v4.1 certification for the project. It is also targeting theLEED Gold level. The program is designed to encourage new developments to be energy efficient and environmentally responsible.  TheLEED rating model is constantly evolving to include the most environmentally friendly and forward-thinking designs. Currently, MSU has eight buildings on campus that areLEED certified.

The Student Wellness Center will include a variety of features listed below. 

South campus energy district

  • The project will be connecting to a new “energy district” that allows the Student Wellness Center and Romney Hall, which is also under renovation, to be heated and cooled efficiently by exchanging heat between each other. Both buildings will benefit from connection to the new Romney Oval geothermal well field, which allows MSU to use the underground temperatures of the 700-foot deep wells to heat and cool the buildings. The well field will reduce the use of traditional energy sources.

Solar photovoltaic power

  • The project will install roof-mounted solar panels to offset power needs for the building. The final details and extent of the system is still under determination. 
Street view of new Student Wellness Center, with solar panels

Heat pumps 

  • The heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems in the building will use heat pump technology to exchange heat in different areas of the building. For example, when the fitness areas are being cooled, the extra heat pulled out of those spaces can be put toward heating the pool water, efficiently reducing energy needs.

Solar wall

  • The project will include a solar wall that will use the sun’s energy hitting south-facing surfaces of the building, heat up fresh, outside air and bring it into the building for ventilation so that less energy is needed to warm the fresh air. This technology was first used on campus at Jabs Hall and has been successful in many campus projects since then.

LED lighting

  • The project will utilize LED lighting throughout to optimize efficiency, as well as incorporate lighting controls to optimize the use of natural daylight. Offices and other spaces will use occupancy sensors to make sure lights are not left on when not needed.

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Fitness and recreation improvements of a Student Wellness Center

The new Student Wellness Center will include expanded climbing facilities, a multi-purpose activity court (MAC), innovative functional training options, traditional wood courts, an outdoor recreation service desk and a contemporary aquatics space. 

Climbing wall

  • A three-story climbing wall, up to 24 ropes, will provide multiple dynamic routes, flexible handhold positions, bouldering, training, instruction and free-climbing, with climbing opportunities for all skill levels. Led by the Outdoor Recreation Program, it would host multiple training and climbing opportunities that support a wide range of outdoor climbing activities. The wall area will be significantly larger than the existing climbing space in the Fitness Center.

Multi-purpose activity court

  • This will include a dasher-board surrounded MAC with a specialized resilient floor surface providing space for indoor soccer, broom ball and recreation events, in addition to traditional basketball, volleyball and badminton.

Function fitness and group exercise spaces

  • The facility would include more space for all modes of weight and fitness training, including dedicated space for functional fitness exercise likely including some indoor synthetic turf, training ramp and plyometric space. This is in addition to free weight,cardio and instructor-led training. The group exercise spaces would include multiple dedicated studios with specialized flooring, mirrors, barres and sound systems for instructor-led group exercise in aerobics, zumba, yoga, mind/body, spin cycling, martial arts, club activities, dance, stretching and more.

Aquatic Center

  • Replacing MSU's outdated lap pool, this transformation would include a fully inclusive body of recreational water great for open swim, lap swim, kayak and canoe training, water-safety training, water aerobics and other activities, complete with a zero-depth entry forADA accessibility.

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Mental health counseling spaces

Counselor and patient in a counseling session
Group counseling session with participats sitting in a circle

The Wellness Center would include comfortable, private spaces for individuals and group mental health counseling as well as enough space to meet current and future capacity for student needs.

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Holistic wellness services

A wellness center waiting room
Outside shot from hallway of a wellness center waiting room

This area of the facility would include resources and access to staff providing holistic wellness services in concert with all building partners and the entire campus community.

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Clinical spaces

Dentist's office with chair
Man recieving an x-ray of his wrist

The new Wellness Center will include modern facilities to provide healthcare and prevention services in a more private and modern space with the ability to see more students on a daily basis.

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    Campus Planning, Design, & Construction
    Montana State University
    PO Box 172760
    Bozeman, MT 59717-2760

    Grant Petersen
    [email protected]

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