LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University officially broke ground Wednesday on a new and vastly expanded, state-of-the-art wellness center on its campus in Lakeland.
The need for the new wellness center became clear during this past year as attendance and usage of the University’s current wellness center soared more than 400 percent.
The new wellness center will include a nearly 3,000 square-foot strength training area, a covered outdoor rock climbing wall, and two outdoor pools – one for lap swimming and the other for intramural water sports and other activities. In addition, the center will include a multipurpose room, offices and meeting rooms.
“Our students not only want to exercise their minds, but their bodies as well,” said Florida Poly Vice Provost of Student Affairs Dr. Steven S. Warner. “This wellness center will be a new space for students to dive into healthy activities while also giving them more collaborative space to meet, socialize and come up with their next big idea.”
The 8,605-square-foot center will be shaped like a phoenix, the Florida Poly mascot, and include facilities for dynamic group fitness classes, cardio and strength training, personal wellness and nutrition coaching, and aquatics. It will also have a dedicated space for students to design and test new technologies for physical and health training.
Tim Hoeft, Managing Principal at Straughn Trout Architects, developed the design concept for the new wellness center. “We are proud to contribute to the expansion of this cutting-edge campus,” said Hoeft. “The project was created to not only serve the students, but to also reflect Florida Poly’s dedication to fostering a culture of constant innovation and well-rounded success.”
“I want to thank everyone who brought this project to life,” said Florida Poly President Dr. Randy K. Avent. “Providing world-class facilities to support the well-being of our students, faculty and staff is important. This new center will foster a culture of health and self-empowerment that will help our campus community achieve their academic, personal and professional aspirations.”
After remarks by key leaders – including President Avent, Tim Hoeft, Dr. Warner, and Board of Trustees Chair Frank T. Martin – the ceremony concluded with an official groundbreaking.
Construction on the new wellness center is scheduled to be completed in fall 2017.
Contact:
Lydia Guzman
Assistant Director of Communications
863-327-9762
