Bad River Tribe Expands Tribal Health Center for Holistic Health Approach

Rendering of Bad River Health Center Expansion by DSGW Architecture

Overview

The Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa is expanding their capacity to promote a healthy lifestyle for tribal members. In 2011 the tribe worked to address communities needs found in a needs assessment by constructing the Bad River Health and Wellness Center. The tribe is now continuing to address those concerns by advancing physical, mental, and spiritual health with an expansion to the wellness center according to the tribe’s architecture partner, DSGW Architecture.

Expansion of Wellness Center

The current health center includes 12 exam rooms, pharmacy, optical lab and testing, and a 4 chair dental clinic. The project will widen the capacity of the clinic by expanding the dental suite, physical therapy, occupational therapy, chiropractic, behavioral health, community health, laboratory, optical, and pharmacy are all receiving expanded spaces. The project will also focus on providing a space for tribal members to advance their physical and emotion health in multiple different ways.

The expansion will include an aquatic center that includes a six lane pool, splash pad, sauna, locker rooms, and bleachers. The pool is designed deep enough to allow for educational opportunities for canoeing safety and techniques.

Additional spaces in the expansion will contain a 9,668 square-foot multipurpose space for physical activities, a 4,325 square-foot fitness center with locker rooms, a small work out room for physical therapy services, and a walking track that flows through the fitness center. The locker rooms can be used as a shelter area during harsh weather conditions.

Funding the Project

The tribe finance the project through Wisconsin Native Loan Fund, Native American Bank, Bay Bank, and First American Capital Corporation

Rendering of Bad River Health Center Expansion by DSGW Architecture