The University of Alberta’s new Physical Activity and Wellness (PAW) Centre encourages healthy lifestyle choices by offering a variety of activities related to the overall concept of wellness. Components include a student fitness centre, sports-related research and lab facilities, a variety of student service spaces, as well as a new home for the Steadward Centre, a high-caliber research and program delivery centre for people with disabilities. Located on a prominent corner of campus, the PAW Centre will act as a gateway building to create a showpiece for the university, emphasizing the importance of an integrated approach to physical activity and wellness. In addition to the new building, existing buildings will be renovated to accommodate new program space. The buildings will be connected by an atrium space that functions as a ‘social street’, incorporating student service spaces and a climbing wall to activate and energize a pedestrian thoroughfare.

The project is targeting a Green Globe rating of 4 out of 5, which is approximately equivalent to LEED Silver. The project will include the largest solar energy collection system in Edmonton, including an array of 77 solar collectors which will provide supplemental heating for the domestic hot water system serving the complex.