SAN MATEO COUNTY, Calif.— San Mateo County Community College District’s new $88 million Kinesiology and Wellness Building remains on target for completion for Spring 2021.

Demolition begin in late 2017 with the team breaking ground on the project in Spring 2019. Blach Construction is the general contractor on this impressive project, while ELS Architecture and Urban Design is serving as architect.

“The existing athletic facilities were very old and outdated,” explained Keith Craw, Vice President of Operations, Blach Construction.

“In fact, until the old building was demolished, there was a sign directing people to a pool that was never actually built. San Mateo Community College District (SMCCCD) and Cañada College saw this as an opportunity to not only modernize their athletics facilities and programs, but expand their health and wellness curriculum and offer the surrounding community the ability to make use of this iconic new Center.”

The two-story, 115,000 square-foot state-of-the-art building will provide a modern, architecturally dramatic, fully accessible facility for both students and the local community.

In addition to serving as an iconic facility for the school, as well as its surrounding community, this much-needed and long-anticipated new home of the Cañada College Physical Education Department will include multi-purpose fitness and activity spaces, competition basketball and volleyball courts, two swimming pools, a rooftop yoga studio, shower and locker rooms, as well as classrooms and office spaces.

Classrooms will provide state-of-the-art settings for dance, Pilates, indoor cycling, and other fitness and wellness activities. The gym, furnished with retractable bleachers, will host volleyball and basketball classes as well as intercollegiate athletic events. In addition, the facility will provide the community with a public membership enterprise fitness facility with pool access. From the activated roof’s running track and yoga space, one will experience panoramic bay views.

“A significant challenge was Cañada College’s request that the program area exceed the original program statement,” said Clarence D. Mamuyac, Jr., president and CEO of ELS Architecture and Urban Design.

“Our response was to turn the roof of a two-story facility into a third level of robust, multiple programming opportunities, while providing access to some of the most incredible views in the Bay Area. The “activated roof” not only adds additional programming potential for the College, but the shade structure atop adds an interesting profile to the building that can be enjoyed from miles away.”

The project is targeted for Gold LEED certification.

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