A fun expansion | Health and Wellness addition at Jefferson Junior High School

Jefferson Junior High School, Woodridge, Ill., has expanded its physical-education facilities with a 4,000-square-foot health and wellness addition. The space, which was completed in January, was designed to house new equipment and a climbing wall. It also serves to inspire and support the school district's focus on preparation for lifelong fitness, health and wellness.

The expansion aims to prove that fitness can be fun for an entire class, not just those who excel at team sports, by showcasing a tower that houses the climbing wall. The surrounding space is open and enables students to move easily among the school's spaces, including the new fitness space, a multipurpose room, competition gymnasium with locker rooms, outdoor playing fields, as well as a new classroom, storage and restroom facilities.

An open-barrel ceiling in the new fitness area gives an airy, expansive feeling, with controlled daylight from large windows to the north and south elevations flooding through it.

Wight & Company (Darien, Ill.) provided integrated design and construction services for this $1.6 million project.