Worcester State University will celebrate the kickoff of the construction of the new 101,000 square-foot, 52.6 million Wellness Center with an official ground breaking ceremony on Wednesday, October 22 at 10 AM.
The new environmentally green building will replace a 1958 Gymnasium building that was built for a student body of 400. Opening in 2016, the new facility will feature athletic space, three exercise rooms, a multipurpose floor, a competition gymnasium, batting cages, instructional space, community space and a lounge among other amenities.
On the docket to speak includes keynote speaker Governor Deval L. Patrick along with Worcester State University President Barry Maloney, current WSU Board of Trustees Chair Ronald Valerio, former WSU Board of Trustees Chair John Brissette, Massachusetts State Senator Harriett Chandler, State Senator Michael Moore and State Representative John Mahoney.
Senior women’s lacrosse player and SAAC Co-Vice President Angela Grassetti will also speak on behalf of the student-athletes.
The ceremony will take place in between the Ghosh Science and Technology Center and the Shaughnessy Administration Building, on the site of the actual construction, followed by a ceremonial photo.
This past September, Worcester State University celebrated the grand opening of $60 million dollar Sheehan Hall. The completion of the Wellness Center will cap a ten-year $200 million building and renovation that has transformed the look of the campus.
The Wellness Center was designed by ARC (Architectural Resources Cambridge) and is being constructed by W.T. Rich Company in Newton, with project management provided by the Massachusetts Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance. Financing was authorized for the project via the Higher Education Bond Bill of 2008, backed by the Legislature and Governor, which funded a comprehensive building program on the state’s 29 public higher education campuses.
The Wellness Center will be built to at least an LEED silver environmental standard – a policy initiated by the Patrick Administration in 2007 through the Leading By Example Program.
Official Ground Breaking Ceremony Release
Wellness Center Construction Camera
Wellness Center Artistic Rendition Photos
You can follow the Worcester State Lancers on Facebook, Twitter and by subscribing to our news updates