The Wellness + Helfaer Recreation at Marquette University is an innovative fitness center that integrate student health, wellness, and recreation services all under one roof. This transformative project. part of the University’s Campus Master Plan, adopted in 2016, aims to enhance the student experience by providing centralized access to fitness, medical, and counseling services.
Marquette University is the client for the Wellness + Helfaer Recreation Facility. The university has been dedicated to enhancing student well-being by centralizing fitness, medical, and counseling services within this cutting-edge facility.
The Helfaer name holds a prominent place at Marquette University due to the substantial support from the Helfaer family. Nearly 50 years ago, a transformational gift from the Helfaer family established Marquette’s original recreation facility, dramatically improving the campus infrastructure and student experience.
Evan Helfaer, a Milwaukee businessman and philanthropist, along with his wife Marion, were known for their generous contributions to educational and cultural institutions in the Milwaukee area. Their support has left a legacy at Marquette University, with the Helfaer Recreation Center serving as a hub for student activity and well-being for decades.
The new Wellness + Helfaer Recreation Facility continues this legacy by providing a modern space that fosters to student health.
One of the most complex aspects of this project was the demolition of the central structure while preserving the north and south shell spaces. Routing conduit within the post-tensioned decks—while working around structural constraints—also posed a major challenge. These space limitations meant most branch wiring had to be embedded in the concrete slab, requiring precise coordination with the concrete and structural teams.
Staff Electric delivered full electrical and technology design/build services while maintaining close coordination with the campus team and trades. Key systems included a new 14,200V medium-voltage service fed from the campus primary, as well as fire alarm, lighting control, security, and low voltage infrastructure. Our team worked closely with designers to ensure all systems were installed seamlessly, particularly in specialized areas like the pool and tennis courts, which required NCAA-compliant lighting levels.
Given limited ceiling space, most of the branch conduit infrastructure was embedded within the post-tensioned concrete decks. This required intense coordination during design and construction phases to maintain schedule and avoid rework.
Staff Electric successfully delivered a modern, multi-use wellness facility that integrates advanced lighting, safety, and technology systems. The result is a vibrant, multifunctional space that supports physical and mental wellness for Marquette students, all while preserving the legacy of the Helfaer name and meeting the university’s long-term vision for student-centered infrastructure.
