The first of its kind in the region, the medically-directed Wellness Center of Thibodaux Regional is designed to improve the health and wellbeing of the region through prevention, fitness, education, rehabilitation, and focused sports and wellness services.

The facility features a 200,000 SF full-service, athletic wellness center equipped with state-of-the-art health and fitness amenities. The on-site natatorium has three pools, including a therapeutic pool for rehabilitation patients and a competition pool open to local swim teams and the public. Integrating clinical care and wellness, the building is anchored by medically directed wellness and fitness amenities. Staffed by specialists and physicians, these include a state-of-the-art imaging center; an orthopedic and sports medicine center; neurosciences center; cardiac rehabilitation; and physical, occupational, and speech therapy center. Also on-site is an education center focused on diabetes, nutrition, and weight management.

Thibodaux Regional was diligent in creating a high performance and sustainable building and incorporated innovative and environmentally friendly elements into the design and construction. They turned to SSR for our expertise in designing the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems; creating energy models of the building and systems; providing sustainability consulting and LEED® facilitation services; commissioning the facility; and designing the communication systems, including structured cable, CATV, access control, video surveillance, and nurse call.

Considering the frequent storms and seasonal hurricane weather in south Louisiana, the building has a full generator back-up system. In the natatorium space a high-efficiency dedicated pool dehumidification unit was used. The system uses waste heat from the cooling condensers to preheat the pool water. Solar panels were installed on the roof to reduce energy usage by heating the lap pool. These heating panels, along with the other designed energy efficiency measures, give the potential for upwards of $148,000 in energy cost savings per year. Restrooms with efficient fixtures and high efficiency irrigation control were implemented to reduce water use, saving an estimated 679,595 gallons of water annually. Energy system performance monitoring equipment was designed for TRMC to operationally monitor system performance and target areas for additional investigation.