When Oberlin College made the decision to expand and renovate its existing Health and Wellness Center, the college took a unique approach to the standard conventions of athletics while keeping the college’s core values of liberal arts at the center. Through design and programming, Oberlin College ventured forward with the community in mind, and a mission to foster self-care.

The Patricia ‘63 & Merrill ‘61 Shanks Health and Wellness Center is a 16,000-square-foot addition to the 115,000-square-foot Jess Philips Physical Education Center. The new center’s priority is educating the Oberlin community on the importance of prioritizing self-care and bringing together physical and emotional wellbeing, especially in the wake of work and school stresses. Oberlin didn’t just take a guess at the needs of the community, the college first listened to the community’s needs and wants and built the facility around those responses. Ultimately, the Health and Wellness Center hopes to speak to “wellness for life,” not just for athletes, but the community as a whole.

Unlike many athletic centers, the Patricia ‘63 & Merrill ‘61 Shanks Health and Wellness Center will have programming for mental health, self-care seminars, and a counseling center amongst physical education classes and standard athletics such as a weight room, volleyball and basketball courts, smash ball courts, an Olympic swimming pool, yoga, spinning and a TRX room.

As Panzica Construction Company’s general trades contractor on the project, OCP Contractors was eager to bring the unique facility to fruition. The project occurred in two phases, beginning with the remodel and followed by the addition. During the remodel phases of the project OCP Contractor’s skilled trades team was challenged to spray k-13 sound insulation above the existing Olympic swimming pool area, with the ceilings being 60 feet above the bottom of the pool. Additionally, OCP performed patching to 20-foot tall plaster ceilings in the smash ball courts. Following a successful completion of renovation work, allowing for the existing facility to be utilized by students, work began on the addition. The new Oberlin Health and Wellness Center was successfully opened to the community at the start of the fall 2018 semester.

When asked of their experience in working with the OCP Contractors team, Adam Parker Panzica Construction Company Project Manager stated, “When it comes to interior finishes, carpentry and insulation OCP is always one of the best. Not only did their experience help expedite the schedule, but they also made sure to meet or exceed their durations. Chris and the OCP team also back their work, no matter what issue comes to light. I will always highly consider OCP to be part of my team.”

As a strong advocate for community and self-care, OCP is proud to be a part of the team that successfully completed the Oberlin Health and Wellness Center.