Seneca Polytechnic is embarking on a multi-million dollar capital project to develop a health and wellness complex that is infused with indigenous design, sustainability, and inclusion.

Inspired by the medicine wheel (based on the Native American medicine wheel), the Health and Wellness Center will be a destination for students and employees to support their physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

In the building's pre-design, Seneca is working with DIALOG, an integrated design practice known for building spaces that support collaboration, community, and connectivity, and the indigenous design firm Two Row Architect to incorporate indigenous architectural forms.

Seneca's vision is to transform the decades-old sports center on the eastern edge of the Newnham campus into a dynamic, multi-story health and wellbeing complex encompassing traditional medicine, counseling, recreation, and university sports facilities. The center will also incorporate a new headquarters for the Seneca Students Federation (SSF).

The circular shape of the design references the drum circle. The drum circle symbolizes balance, equality, wholeness, and connection. At the center of the complex, the drum circle represents a source of positive energy, bringing a natural rhythm to the world around it.

Funding for the Center comes from Seneca, the SSF, and the Student Athletic Association (SAA). The SSF and SAA contributions have been funded through equity dues paid by students for many years.

The Center will represent the next phase of development at Newnham Campus, complementing the LEED Gold-certified Center for Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship, known as CITE, and the award-winning Odeyto Indigenous Center.

The landscaped outdoor space surrounding the Center will provide opportunities to interact with nature. Highlights include a central courtyard with a fire pit, an extensive arrangement of native plants and trees, regenerating woodland, earth mounds, and a rooftop terrace for teaching and recreation.

Affirming its commitment to being a sustainable Seneca, a multitude of green building practices will be incorporated, including mass timber, rainwater harvesting, solar power, geothermal energy, renewable building materials, green roofs, and design for resilience and operational sustainability.

Link to the original news article in English: https://www.senecacollege.ca/news-and-events/media-releases/2023/seneca-polytechnic-is-redefining-the-21st-century-recreation-facility.html

Contact: 

Adolfo Moreno 

Regional Manager, Business Development – Latin America

adolfo.moreno-perez@senecapolytechnic.ca