William J. Hybl Sports Medicine and Performance Center opens at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs
By David Malone, Associate Editor
The William J. Hybl Sports Medicine and Performance Center, located on the University of Colorado Colorado Springs campus, is a first-of-its-kind facility designed with “collision spaces” meant to create collaboration between medical doctors, faculty researchers, and students.
Designed by HOK and RTA, the project will bring together students and faculty for education and research with the medical providers and clinical experts at Center Penrose-St. Francis Health Services. The facility makes use of a large amount of glass and open space to enable the “collision” philosophy.
Students, faculty, clinicians, doctors, patients, and athletes will have access to a collection of equipment rarely found in a single facility. This equipment includes:
• An altitude chamber that is able to transport users from a sea level atmosphere to the heights of the Himalayas;
• An environmental chamber that allows control of altitude, temperature, and humidity;
• A nutrition laboratory and kitchen that optimizes the fuel needed for athletes of all skills and abilities;
• A biomechanics laboratory that permits enhanced study of movement;
• Specialized equipment that allows athletes with physical disabilities and tactical athletes like firefighters and police officers to train;
• A sports medicine clinic that allows medical providers to see patients; and
• A sports performance clinic that helps athletes to train and optimize achievement.
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HOK and RTA established an integrated team to design the facility. J.E. Dunn was the project's general contractor. The William J. Hybl Sports Medicine and Performance Center is expected to achieve LEED Gold. The Center fully opened on Aug. 24, 2020.