The University of Houston-Downtown recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the completion of the Wellness and Success Center, for which we served as Construction Manager-at-risk. The event included remarks by UHD’s President Loren J. Blanchard, Director of Sports & Fitness Richard Sebastiani, and Student Government Association President Jesus Nieto; University of Houston System (UHS) Regent John A. McCall, Jr. and Vice Chancellor of Governmental Relations Jason Smith; and Representative Mary Ann Perez. Lynette Cook-Francis, Interim Vice President of Student Success and Student Life, emceed the event. Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia was also in attendance. The Houston Rockets revitalized the event with interactive activities and giveaways in the Center’s gym.
With over 200 attendees, the ribbon-cutting ceremony included a VIP breakfast reception, a dedication program, and a building tour.
The new three-story wellness center will serve more than 15,000 students focusing on fitness and student health. The building also features a student health center, counseling space, classrooms, a food café, and a demonstration kitchen/seminar room for healthy cooking demonstrations and nutrition lessons.
“Vaughn's role as construction manager on the Wellness Center is significant because it's a continuation of our longstanding relationship with UHD that has spanned 26 years,” a Vaughn project manager shared. “Our primary goal on this project was to continue WOWing the client and exceeding expectations. Vaughn has built a reputation for doing whatever it takes to deliver successful projects and getting repeat business is proof of a job well done! We're thankful for the opportunity to once again construct a building on UHD's campus that will serve as a Houston landmark. Go Gators!”