Following several years of research and planning, the Winter Park Health Foundation (WPHF) filed a Preliminary Conditional Use Application with the City of Winter Park on September 3, requesting approval to rebuild its 25 year-old Peggy & Philip B. Crosby Wellness Center inside a larger, more comprehensive healthy living center integrating Wellness, Medicine and Fitness programs in one convenient location.

WPHF is referring to the new complex as Project Wellness.  Plans are to redevelop the existing Crosby Wellness Center property owned by WPHF as well as two additional lots recently acquired by WPHF.  The total site for Project Wellness encompasses 4.2 acres.  The proposed two-story facility will be approximately 78,000 sq. ft. providing a new home for an updated Crosby Wellness Center (operated by the Central Florida YMCA) as well as new community wellness education opportunities (i.e.; a demonstration kitchen, grocery lab, meeting spaces, etc.) and medical services (i.e.; consultations with clinical specialists, physical therapy/rehab from injuries or illness, integrative medicine, complementary medicine, etc.).  A companion, four-story garage will provide free parking for approximately 265 cars.

Plans call for transforming the Project Wellness site into a special place that encourages the community to live healthier and be more active.  Gardens, ponds, benches, walking paths and green spaces will surround the facility.  The surrounding road network will be improved to make the area safer and more attractive for all users – vehicle drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists.  The architecture proposed for Project Wellness is nature-inspired and designed to enhance the neighborhood, including the adjacent Ward Park.

Duda|Paine Architects of Durham, NC was chosen to design Project Wellness following an extensive search including local, regional and national firms.  Jack Jennings & Sons of Orlando will be the general contractor.  Donald W. McIntosh & Associates of Winter Park is providing engineering services.  Project Wellness has been designed and will be built to be resource efficient.  Upon completion, Project Wellness will apply for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification.

The timeline for preliminary approval of WPHF’s application for Project Wellness calls for City staff review and community input during September and October, a work session with the Winter Park Planning & Zoning Board on October 27, public hearing and vote at the Winter Park Planning & Zoning Board meeting on November 3, and a first reading and presentation to the Winter Park City Commission at its November 23rd meeting.  Final reading and vote on the application is anticipated in January 2016.

For more information on Project Wellness and to sign up for email updates, go to www.wphf.org/project-wellness