New Well-Being Center offers multipurpose space for students

The new Well-Being Center, located next to Weinstein Center for Recreation, has become a hub for studying, eating and socializing because of the many different amenities it offers.

The building opened at the start of this semester and has a surplus of hangout areas and places to study, and even more will be available once COVID-19 restrictions ease, said Kaitlin Jones, who works in the center as the University of Richmond’s health promotion assistant. 

On an average day, students can be found sitting around the outdoor firepit, studying in the meditation garden, ordering at the Organic Krush Cafe kiosks or hanging out at one of the high top tables lining the windows. It is a rare moment to find the center lacking in student life during the weekdays.

Lilly Colantonio, a junior who has been working at the center as a Welcome Desk Assistant since November 2020, noticed that the center is much more popular on the weekdays between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. than it is on the weekends.

“The Well-Being Center is very unique because of its hidden gems that are within the building,” Jones said. “With our building being connected to the recreation center and new Queally athletics building, along with the organic cafe, Student Health Center, Disability Services and [Counseling and Psychological Services] — we knew that the building would be heavily used.”

The center is directly connected to the gym, where many students go to work out or attend academic classes. Another feature of the center is Organic Krush, the newest dining option on campus, which is convenient for a post-workout bite and chat. Organic Krush has locations throughout the East Coast, according to its website, but is new to the UR campus. 

The center also hosts a demonstration kitchen where students can learn new cooking skills; and students will have access to the meditation and massage rooms as well as the salt therapy room soon, according to The Collegian. These amenities are off-limits for the time being because of UR’s COVID-19 restrictions, as notated on signs in the center.

Sophomore Sofia Langan, who works at Organic Krush, said Organic Krush has been a major cause of the building's popularity with students, specifically noting that it offers a variety of nutritious options from smoothies and breakfast options to tacos and customizable salads. 

“I’m a big fan of their avocado toast with a fried egg, as well as build-your-own salad bowls; but my favorites always change,” Langan said.

Langan also emphasized the versatility of the center. 

“Students will go to study by themselves or in a group, go on lunch dates with friends or simply hang around and enjoy the center,” Langan said.

Jones said she was optimistic about the future of the Well-Being Center. 

“I believe that the Well-Being Center will gain more traffic when we are able to do more programs and open up some of the gems that have not yet been able to be utilized,” Jones said.

Contact lifestyle writer Lucia Helmers at lucia.helmers@richmond.edu.