Mortenson Construction is launching a major renovation and expansion of Harper College’s sports and wellness center to create a state-of-the-art health and recreation center for the Palatine, Ill., community college and Chicago’s northwest suburbs. The $38 million project includes constructing the shell and core of a 10,000 square foot addition planned to house a medical clinic run by Northwest Community Healthcare for students, faculty, staff and area residents.

Harper College, along with Mortenson Construction and architect Cannon Design, held a groundbreaking for the modernization project on April 10.

“Harper College is dedicated to not only providing affordable educational opportunities but promoting the health and wellness of those at the college and in its local communities. To realize these goals, Harper is forming innovative public-private partnerships with Northwest Community Healthcare and the Palatine Park District,” says Andy Gibbons, project manager for Mortenson Construction. “We are proud to have a critical role in supporting these efforts by building the new wellness center.”

Building M, closed until the renovation is completed in August 2018, is home to the school’s athletics and kinesiology and health education departments as well as a pool, fitness center and gym used for sports and as the site of many campus and community events. In addition to a total renovation and upgrading of these current departments, team training facilities, and fitness and public spaces, Mortenson will be adding a new sports medicine area, exercise rooms, and six classrooms to the existing two-story, 130,000 square foot building.