New Wellness + Helfaer Recreation facility connects student health, wellness and recreation services under one roof

A new state-of-the-art facility that combines student recreation, health, wellness and counseling services, currently dispersed across the Marquette campus, is nearing completion. The Wellness + Helfaer Recreation facility, located on the southwestern end of campus on the corner of 16th and Clybourn streets, will open its doors in early 2025 - an eight-year journey from concept to completion.

Such a facility has been a part of the Campus Master Plan since it was adopted in 2016, but the reimagined Wellness + Helfaer Recreation facility project truly took root in December 2021 when the late President Michael R. Lovell announced that an anonymous alumni couple launched a $10 million giving challenge to transform and integrate the university's student health, wellness and recreation services. The major gift propelled the university's vision and long-stated priority.

Lora Strigens, vice president for planning and facilities management, has been part of the project since its inception. She says this facility will be a game changer for students at Marquette.

"Providing a variety of spaces for recreation and fitness was important to us, while also allowing flexibility - knowing how students engage in recreation is going to change over time," Strigens explains. "The medical clinic located on the second floor of the wellness tower will be much improved space over what currently exists and will keep pace with the quality of care that's provided to our students. The third and fourth floors of the wellness tower will be where the Lovells are honored with the LOVELLSTRONG Center for Student Well-Being."

Health, wellness and counseling

Inside the 30,000-square-foot, centralized three-story wellness tower is the embodiment of the Jesuit tenet of cura personalis, or "care for the whole person" - fostering community, inclusiveness and engagement, and providing a destination on campus that supports the physical and mental health needs of the Marquette community. The facility's second, third and fourth levels will embrace health, wellness and counseling services.

Dr. Carolyn Smith, acting chief wellness officer and clinical associate professor of exercise science in the College of Health Sciences, oversees the Marquette University Medical Clinic, Counseling Center, Campus Recreation, and Student Wellness and Health Promotion Program.

"I hope this facility is instrumental in embedding well-being into the Marquette student experience," Smith shares. "The facility will be state-of-the-art and integrated with a lot of shared spaces so that we can meet the students where they are in terms of their wellness journey. By bringing all the units together, we will be able to guide students on their personalized journey to a healthy, happy and meaningful life."

Relocating from the lower level of Schroeder Complex to the second floor of the new facility, the Marquette Medical Clinic will be a comprehensive on-site space that provides services beyond the typical primary care clinic. In addition to treating acute and chronic medical conditions, on-site services will include x-ray, suturing, casting and splinting, IV rehydration, a lab, and a dispensary. Meanwhile, health care and prevention services will be provided by a staff of physicians, physician assistants, registered nurses, medical assistants, laboratory technicians and a dietician.

"While the services will remain unchanged, the new facility will leverage natural light, integrate modern technology and will be significantly larger," Smith says. "All of this will contribute to an enhanced and more efficient patient experience."

All enrolled Marquette undergraduate, graduate and professional students are eligible to receive services at the clinic.

Providing a space where physical and mental health and wellness are all in one building allows anonymity for students when they enter the facility, helping break down stigmas and barriers to get proper care.

"I came here 20-plus years ago, and back then there was a huge stigma surrounding mental health," Smith says. "Students were afraid to talk about it or were embarrassed by it. This generation of students is much more open about their mental health struggles and well-being needs. By removing barriers, we hope more students will access the array of medical, counseling and wellness services that will be offered within the building. Helping students be successful and thriving is our goal with this building."

Fitness and recreation

The building's lower level and first and second floors will include an updated fitness and recreation area. Some amenities include a six-lane, 25-yard pool, four tennis and basketball courts, an indoor running track, group exercise rooms, plus all the standard fitness equipment.

Strigens emphasizes the special consideration that was taken, recognizing that not every student approaches recreation in the same way.

"I think that students, faculty and staff will be amazed when they walk in the doors and see that we've integrated flexible spaces for socializing and building community," Strigens explains. "Some people are very comfortable in a large fitness setting and in a weight room; others are not at that point in their journey and relationship with fitness, and so providing a variety of type and scale of spaces for recreation and fitness was important to us."

Yoga classes, pickup basketball games, personal training and massage therapy services will also be available to students.

"I hope it really fosters that sense of wellness across campus - that's in essence our short-term goal," Smith says. "We want it to be a welcoming space for all students."

"We are working hard to get this project across the finish line so it's open in January, as projected." Strigens says. "We recognize that our students have made a bit of a sacrifice over the past few years using some temporary recreation spaces while we brought this to life. We're very excited to open the doors and have the students discover the wonderful spaces, programs and services that are inside."

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