Designers present refined schematic design for community health and wellness center; council told event space reduced and senior services transition planned

City staff and the HGA design team presented a 100% schematic design update for Bloomington’s Community Health and Wellness Center, described continued emphasis on sustainability and operational cost recovery, and detailed an interim plan for senior programming while Creekside is closed for construction.

Leah Hughes, deputy director of Parks and Recreation, told the council the design team has trimmed the project footprint during schematic design but has not removed core program spaces; the presentation emphasized flexibility and multiuse rooms to maximize revenue potential and reach a pro‑forma target staff described as a 90% cost‑recovery goal and at least 70% daily use capacity. Hughes said the design continues to include sustainable elements such as geothermal and rooftop photovoltaics, but staff are monitoring tariff changes and potential reductions in federal Inflation Reduction Act funding — impacts Hughes estimated could be “millions of…