Wellness centre opens today.
Image Credit: Contributed
September 18, 2013 - 9:13 AM
KELOWNA - A new state of the art wellness centre at UBC isn't just functional. The architect who designed it considered asthetics creating a zero calorie feast for the eyes for those who use.
And, it's constructed from local lumber to support the forestry industry.
The $4.1 Hangar and Wellness Centre officially opened Sept. 17, but it's been in use since July. The 850 square metre addition to the original gymnasium features cardio and strength-training spaces, studios for combat sports, yoga, spin-bikes, pilates and dancing. It will eventually have an interior climbing wall.
The name of the facility, "Hangar", was chosen to recognize a hefty $3.5 million gift from the Lapointe family, to honour families of Kelowna Flightcraft. The money came with two stipulations — it required an aviation theme and construction was to be mostly from local lumber to support the industry.
Keeping to the aviation theme, the structure emulates the curved wing of an aircraft while appearing to float beside the current gymnasium. The design build competition for the building was won by Kindred Construction in partnership with McFarland Marceau Architects.
The new facility will offer additional training facilities for UBC's Okanagan Heat athletes. It also employs a full-time fitness coordinator, 10 staff who work in group fitness and personal training — eight of whom are current student or alumni. An operations staff of 38 working in customer service and as Hangar monitors are all current students.
"This outstanding new facility reflects a shared commitment of our community, the university, and our generous donors to health and wellness," UBC Okanagan campus principal Deborah Buszard says. "The Hangar will provide much needed recreation space for everyone, but in particular for our students who need it to be healthy and productive."
The Hangar Fitness and Wellness Centre is located beside the gymnasium at 3211 Athletics Court, Kelowna.
News from © iNFOnews, 2013