PSU breaks ground on 'transformative' ALLWell North Building

PLYMOUTH — Plymouth State officials yesterday hosted a ceremonial ground breaking for the university's $32 million Active Living, Learning and Wellness (ALLWell) North building and said that the new structure is a major step in advancing PSU's position as a national leader in health and wellness education and in opening new avenues for innovation and regional economic development.

"This is a transformative moment for Plymouth State University," says President Sara Jayne Steen. "ALLWell North will be the largest classroom on campus at almost 108,000-square-feet and provide much-needed classroom and research space for our health and wellness programs as well as expanding recreational and athletic opportunities for students and the region."

The new facility will have as its centerpiece a 200-meter indoor competition-sized track, accompanied by seating for more than 6,000 people.

Because of its large event venue capacity and increased campus visitation, a third-party economic development report estimated that the building will generate more than $4 million per year in local economic impact. Approximately 250 jobs will be created during construction, and 17 new permanent jobs will be created.

''This is a perfect facility at a perfect location,'' said Jeff Rose, Commissioner,of N.H. Department of Resources and Economic Development, who added that the new facility will play a key role in helping supply skilled people in the state's workforce, particularly in the health field and the tourism industry.

Steen said that some of the fastest growing majors at PSU are in the health fields, including Exercise and Sport Physiology, Health Education and Promotion, Physical Education, Athletic Training and Adventure Education.

She said that increased enrollment comes at a time when the state's aging population will demand a marked increase in the number of Bachelor and Master's-prepared allied health professionals. Increased demand for trained professionals in Outdoor and Adventure Education are also anticipated in the state's tourist economy.

John Clark, athletic director at PSU, said the indoor track will serve as the starting point for the re-establishment of a PSU's men's varsity track and field program and the addition of women's varsity track and field beginning in fall 2015.

''It's going to be one of the finest tracks in New England,'' said Clark, who said that having an indoor practice facility will help PSU attract top-notch student athletes. He said that it will also be a magnet for college and high school track meets which will bring competitors from all over the state or the area.

Julie Bernier, PSU Provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. said "Successfully preparing future health and wellness professionals requires a synergy between academic and experiential learning.'' She said that the new field house, double the size of the current one in the Physical Education Center, features retractable mesh partitions to allow the space to be further divided into as many as four smaller spaces for simultaneous uses including instruction, community programming, recreation, training and fitness activities.

The track at the new facility will be named for George Davis, PSU class of 1963, who said that the new track and field programs will involve 50 young men and 50 women, 80 of whom wouldn't be attending PSU without the new track.

Davis, who enjoyed a 42 year career as a track and field coach at both high school and college level, said he was deeply moved by the decision to name the track after him. ''It's a dream of most people involved in track and field to have this kind of honor.''

The building is the second facility in a comprehensive plan that began with the opening of the PSU Ice Arena in 2010.

Construction is expected to last 15 months with occupancy scheduled for fall 2015. Harvey Construction of Bedford is the general contractor. Rist-Frost-Shumway Engineering of Laconia, is providing engineering services for the project. Architects are Sasaki Associates, Watertown, Mass., which also designed the PSU Ice Arena.