Ribbon Cutting Marks Official Opening of RecWell
February 22, 2023
On Friday, Jan. 27, the new Quinnipiac University Recreation and Wellness Center held a ribbon cutting event to open its doors to students, faculty, staff and the community.
Members of the university leadership team and representatives from Hartford HealthCare met to cut the ribbon and speak about the completion of the facility. This included Quinnipiac University President, Judy Olian.
“It is also an embodiment of what we envision for the university of the future, which is a university that through its facilities prompts us to live better and be better prepared for the future,” Olian said at the event.
Attendees were able to get free merchandise, tours and samples of Shake Smart, which is a protein and smoothie bar located in the facility’s lobby. Since it opened at the start of the spring 2023 semester, Bobcats, including second-year students Avery Bromage and Gina Maniscalco, have been enjoying the new dining location.
“It’s good and it’s a nice study space. The tables are really nice. It’s really good. We love it,” Bromage and Maniscalco said.
The facility has already seen an increase in participation. On the first day of the semester, RecWell saw 2,900 students. In the old gym, they generally saw 3,500 students in one week.
The ribbon cutting event also focused on the university’s partnership with Hartford HealthCare. They are now facilitating Health Services and the counseling office.
“It more than doubles our clinical and counseling space, enabling all of the onsight expertise of Hartford Healthcare,” Olian said.
Not only is the partnership helpful for students during their time at Quinnipiac, but it will also help many with their future in the medical workforce. Hartford HealthCare President Jeffrey Flaks explained how they are working with medical school students to help them get jobs after they graduate.
“We’re increasing the number of placements for the medical residents within the Netter School of Medicine,” Flaks said. “We are going to expand the size of the school of medicine over time.”
Flaks also believes the partnership is beneficial to the workforce throughout Connecticut.
RecWell is now open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Sunday. They post updates and events on their Instagram page @qurecwell.
