$54 million multipurpose “HUB” will be a model of collegiate health

Cincinnati (Dec. 11, 2017) – Xavier University and TriHealth, two long-time, faith-based organizations dedicated to improving the quality of life for all in the Cincinnati community, broke ground today on the Health United Building (HUB) on the Xavier campus.

The HUB, located at 1714 Cleneay Ave. in Norwood, will include classrooms for health-related academic programs, a new state-of-the-art fitness and recreation center, and a holistic health and wellness center to provide expert care for students.

The goals for the four-level, 160,300 square-foot facility are ambitious. “We believe this building will play a critical role in shaping our students—who they become and how they live in the future,” said Xavier University President Michael J. Graham, S.J. “We know that today’s students want balanced and healthy lifestyles. This building is designed to meet the physical, mental and wellness needs of all students and the fast-changing, academic needs of our health sciences students. Partnering with TriHealth, we know we can meet and exceed these goals.”

“This affiliation is so uniquely focused, like no other in the country, on caring for the whole person—mind, body and spirit,” said TriHealth CEO and President Mark C. Clement. “Whether it starts in the classroom, leads to a great performance on the court, drives healthier behaviors or increases positive connections in the community, this affiliation will touch lives and transform people, not only on campus, but throughout the region and nation.”

Primary features of the HUB include:

• Fitness/Recreation Center (104,400 SF)
o 4-lane recreation pool
o 3 fitness studios
o 3 basketball courts
o 2-level fitness area
o café

• Health and Counseling Center (9,800 SF)
o 10 exam rooms
o 7 counseling offices
o pharmacy
o wellness coordinator rooms

• Health Sciences Academic Building (46,100 SF)
o 11 classrooms
o 5 nursing sim labs
o 3 nursing skills labs
o 3 occupational therapy labs
o 2 sports studies labs

In January 2017, Xavier and TriHealth, with the support of Beacon Orthopaedics, announced a 10-year, exclusive affiliation that includes building this national model of excellence for collegiate health and wellness. The affiliation builds on a highly successful, 20-year relationship between TriHealth and Xavier and advances their shared mission to physically, mentally and spiritually improve the lives of those they serve.

The cost of the HUB is $54 million. Xavier and TriHealth are partnering with Messer Construction and MSA Architects. In keeping with Xavier’s Jesuit values, its construction will offer opportunities for minority and women-led businesses, and it will be inclusive, exceeding ADA requirements to make it even more welcoming for all. In addition, the building will be designed and built to LEED Gold standards. The HUB is expected to open in August 2019 for the fall 2019-2020 semester.

Planning for and design of the building has been underway since 2015, led by Vice President for Facilities Bob Sheeran, Senior Director for Student Affairs Leah Busam-Klenowski and Dean of the College of Professional Sciences Paul Gore. “We got here with a lot of input from Xavier faculty, staff and students as well as health-care experts at TriHealth,” said Graham. “I want to thank all of them as we move forward toward making the HUB a national model for collegiate health.”

About TriHealth: TriHealth is hospitals, physicians and the community working together to help people live better. We provide clinical, educational, preventive and social programs through Bethesda North, Bethesda Butler, TriHealth Evendale, Good Samaritan, McCullough-Hyde and TriHealth Rehabilitation hospitals and more than 130 other locations throughout Greater Cincinnati. This includes an ambulatory network, physician practices, research division, employer-based health services, hospice care, and fitness and health facilities. Learn more at trihealth.com, Facebook.com/TriHealth, @TriHealth on Twitter and at YouTube.com/TriHealth.

About Xavier University: Xavier University is a private university located in Cincinnati, Ohio, providing a liberal arts education in the Jesuit Catholic tradition. Founded in 1831, Xavier is the sixth-oldest Catholic university in the nation. U.S. News & World Report ranks it No.5 among master’s-level universities in the Midwest and The Princeton Review names it as one of the “Best 377 Colleges in America.”