UAlbany Celebrates Opening of 'The Well' Recreation Center at Colonial Quad
By Amy Geduldig
ALBANY, N.Y. (Aug. 27, 2024) – The University at Albany and the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) announced the completion of a major $46.9 million gut renovation of Paine and Zenger Residence Halls on Colonial Quad, which opened last week to students for the fall semester. The renovation also included the transformation of the former dining hall into the Colonial Wellness Center, a new recreation and wellness center, which has been nicknamed The Well.
The University held a ribbon-cutting and open house Monday to celebrate the completion of the project. UAlbany President Havidán Rodríguez was joined by DASNY Vice President Charlie Williams, Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Michael Christakis and Assistant VP Health and Wellbeing Joyce DeWitt-Parker. Following remarks, The Well held an open house with programs and activities for students, faculty and staff.
“DASNY is proud to partner with SUNY and deliver truly exceptional facilities,” said DASNY President and CEO Robert J. Rodriguez. “Our design and construction teams are at the forefront of creating spaces to empower students and help them achieve academic success. DASNY is pleased to be a part of such a forward-thinking project.”
As a Health Promoting University, UAlbany has established itself as an institution committed to health and sustainability and strengthening the overall well-being of its community. The University was among the first cohort of higher education institutions in the United States to adopt the Okanagan Charter in 2021. (The University will also host this year’s U.S. Health Promoting Campuses Network Summit conference in October.)
Since adopting the charter, the University has continued to build on programs and services that support the physical and mental well-being of the campus community. Recently, the institution implemented a health navigator program, which directs students to resources and support available through the Department of Health Promotion, including well-being appointments, survivor support and advocacy, recovery support, wellness coaching, safer sex and harm reduction resources and self-assessments (screenings) for alcohol and cannabis use.
“To be successful our students must be able to strengthen both their mind and body. With beautiful new spaces and dedicated staff, UAlbany's new Colonial Wellness Center has something for everyone and is the embodiment of our vision as a Health Promoting University. Thank you to DASNY and everyone at UAlbany who made this exciting project a reality, one which advances the health and wellbeing of our campus community," Christakis said.
The Colonial Quad project was constructed to LEED Gold standards under the sustainability and energy efficiency guidelines of the U.S. Green Building Council while respecting the original mid-century modern architecture of Edward D. Stone. LEED elements include new windows, heating, cooling and ventilation systems, water-saving plumbing fixtures, energy-saving LED lighting in hallways and student rooms, and other modern upgrades. In addition, the project utilized low-VOC paints, coatings, sealants, adhesives and flooring to protect indoor air quality.
Page Architecture and Planning handled the project design, while LeChase Construction Services served as the general contractor. The project employed a design-bid-build delivery method.
The project is part of approximately $126 million in capital renovation projects DASNY is completing on SUNY campuses statewide.