Patriot Wellness Center at Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, Illinois
The 83,000-square foot Patriot Wellness Center features an expanded field house, fitness center, and Student Services suite. These combined resources provide students with a centralized location on campus for their health and wellness needs.
Physical Education in schools today has evolved beyond the traditional “gym class.” Beyond having additional teaching stations for PE requirements, what have you witnessed as benefits for your students in your new facility?
Eric Ramos (ER): Inherently, the natural daylight [in the PWC] makes students more apt to engage. The spaces with glass and higher ceiling invite a bigger feeling. We’re going to think bigger. This is a different experience. You’re here to think and learn and then go and do. The turf area has changed the way our kids can move in a space because they can run and jump like they could in the field house, but they can also fall safely. We utilize the turf for mobility work, speed work, and plyometric work, which we couldn’t do in the past.
What was the greatest need for change in your PE spaces before renovation?
ER: Spaces were primarily gymnasiums with a white board stuck in the corner. The space did not always reflect the class activity. There is such a variety of space types for holding class now. Content sharing really changes the experience for demonstrations and end of class regrouping. Having more monitors in the spaces assists in being able to show and talk about wellness directly. When showing students and talking to them about the same thing – especially with a topic as ambiguous as wellness – it really helps to have 2 mediums for instruction (verbal and visual).
What wellness challenges do you see for today’s students that the building can help (or are helping) with?
ER: Mental health is the most pressing issue for our students. They see the world differently and their social stress is extremely tough. That’s why I love the beauty of the new spaces with the size and glass that is inviting, it can help how you feel. When I walk into the fitness areas, I feel better. We know the students who frequent these spaces, they benefit. For students who aren’t having an easy time in life, this space is helpful in supporting our four pillars of Wellness. When they’re immersed in technology, they’re…busy cognitively, but their bodies are not moving. They’re missing out on the tactile growth that comes from stimulation of movement. That’s what this facility can do – help draw you back and get your feet on the ground and, in my opinion, help you understand this is what living is.
How do the non-fitness areas contribute to student well-being?
ER: The feel of the building when you walk in is inviting for all types of students. It just appeals to everyone. Things like the green wall make you feel like you’re outside, which is the best feeling of all. Security is a big deal at any school, therefore site lines are critical. This space is very open and easy to supervise. Students are buying healthy food at the café opposed to junk food like in the past. Also, the lighting, wood, and materials feel natural, not institutional. All those things help students feel like they want to be there. When you’re needing to study, you’re absorbing the energy of the space and the light.
East Side Academic and Athletic Addition at New Trier High School in Winnetka, Illinois
The 203,000-square foot East Side Academic and Athletic Addition at New Trier’s Winnetka campus, built on the site of the old Gates Gymnasium, replaces a memorable but outdated facility with a new complex of activity spaces serving a robust array of Kinetic Wellness and Athletic programs.
What are some of the biggest changes you’re observed since the addition was completed?
Andy Butler (AB): The fitness spaces being connected to the rest of the school has been the biggest difference for us. There is easy flow into fitness spaces as we’re now part of the main circulation path for students to get to the fitness spaces. The visibility into spaces from our hang out areas allows students to see activities happening, and this makes students want to take those classes. An example is viewing into the climbing wall. These spaces weren’t visible at all before, and now it is, which makes students realize this is something that I want to do.
What was the greatest need for change in your program spaces before renovation?
AB: It wasn’t about the number of teaching spaces increasing, but the quality of spaces has improved drastically. The old main gym was very limited for kinetic wellness classes. Now, the retractable bleachers in the new competition gym allow so much more flexibility. The new gym is far more useable and efficient than our old gym.
What have you witnessed as benefits for your students?
AB: We underestimated the use of the indoor turf space. This is true for both athletics and Kinetic Wellness students. It’s a space where we can do a lot of different things with our classes, as it’s a comfortable surface that people don’t mind sitting on, then transition to movement. It’s perfect for team building activities, fitness testing, or grass-based sports. Due to our weather, this is a space we can always use. With the curtain dividing the turf and track we can easily have 2-3 classes occurring at same time.
What features of the new space are drawing students in?
AB: Simple things, like the weight room and cardio loft, are designed like what students see at a health club. Spaces that look visible and well-equipped help draw students in. Also, the amount of strength racks and space around the stations provides more options for classes. The indoor turf in the strength room supports the strength activities and adds more flexibility. The size is good for… functional and dynamic fitness, plyometrics, warm up routines, core exercises and ground skills.
You mentioned the new climbing wall – how has that been received?
AB: Our new climbing and bouldering space has been outstanding. The space is much brighter, much larger, taller, with the built in safety floor. There is a lot of flexibility on the wall for the teachers to change the routes and difficulty levels. It’s been a huge upgrade, especially that this is a climbing only space, not shared with other functions. The climbing wall is a “wow factor” to see as part of daily school life.
How do the non-fitness areas contribute to student well-being?
AB: Its stunning to watch people’s first impression, as it is an environment that students just want to be in. Students are in the central area all day doing schoolwork or hanging out with friends. The 3rd floor study counter really makes it easy for schoolwork. What people talk about is the historical touches such as the historic gym floor and repurposed bleachers around café.
The built environment can function as a tool to help engage students. These two projects demonstrate how the evolution of fitness spaces can feel welcoming to all students and invite the mental benefit of movement.
