Situated at approximately 7,000 feet above sea level, the NAU New Wellness Center and Recreation remodel will consist of 35,000 SF of new recreational space, 38,000 SF of existing recreational space to be renovated and appx 160,000 SF of new Wellness/Classroom space. This facility will provide students with a single location to achieve total mind & body good health and well-being.

The remodel will incorporate numerous sustainable features, and the project will seek LEED Silver certification at its completion. The project is scheduled to begin in the Fall of 2009, with targeted completion date the Fall of 2011.

• The architect has more than 35 employees and 14 consultants designing this building.
• The existing recreation center is only +/- 39,000 sf. The new Wellness Center will encompass the existing recreation center on three sides and will be a total of +/- 265,000sf.
• Over 10,000 feet of caissons will be installed.
• Over 3,000 feet of handrails will be installed.
• Approximately 200,000 sf of interior drywall will be installed.
• New stadium with seating for 1,000 spectators during the soccer games on a lighted field will be installed.
• A chilled beam system will serve the classroom areas.
• A multilevel climbing wall will be installed.
• 7 types of ceilings will be installed.
• 9 types of carpet will be installed.
• There can be as much as 30 freeze/thaw cycles in one 24 hour period.
• Wellness Center  will seek LEED Gold certification, which means it will be an environmentally responsible, profitable, and healthy place to workout, study or visit.
• Nearly 2,500 craft workers will be on site throughout the construction from fall of 2009 to winter of 2011, performing nearly every type of work from excavation to pouring concrete to steel erection to painting and landscaping.