The Redding Rancheria, a federally recognized tribe, has officially launched the construction of the Redding Rancheria Tribal Health Village in South Redding, California. Set to be the largest facility of its kind in the state, this 190,000-square-foot health and wellness center is slated to open in 2027.

This significant project is part of a multiyear collaboration with LPA Design Studios, a renowned design firm with a strong track record in healthcare facilities. The health village will serve as a transformative resource, addressing the long-standing challenges that indigenous tribes face regarding access to health services. The three-story structure will focus on a holistic, whole-body approach to healthcare, offering integrated nutrition, behavioral health services, and preventive care.

“This health village is not just about treatment; it’s about transformation,” said Glen Hayward, Executive Director of Health Services at Redding Rancheria Tribal Health System. “It will focus on whole-body wellness, integrated nutrition, behavioral health, and preventative care.”

The health village represents a crucial step toward improving the well-being of the descendants of the Pit River, Wintu, and Yana peoples. Historically, tribal communities have struggled with limited access to comprehensive healthcare, and this facility will address those gaps by providing both medical treatment and wellness education.

LPA Design Studios, with more than 500 professionals working across California and Texas, has been integral to the design of the facility. The firm worked closely with the Redding Rancheria to ensure the building's design reflected the tribe’s proactive stance on addressing its members' health and wellness challenges.

“We’re very proud to support Redding Rancheria’s vision for this health village,” said Muhsin Lihony, Director of Healthcare at LPA. “Redding Rancheria is taking a holistic approach to addressing the historical challenges facing the health and success of Native Americans. This new facility is designed as a resource for generations, reflecting Redding Rancheria’s unique needs and heritage.”

The new health village will offer a broad range of services, including primary care, dental care, behavioral health, physical therapy, and fitness training. The facility will also focus on community health, senior nutrition, and rehabilitation services, with an emphasis on long-term wellness.

To support physical and mental well-being, the center will feature both indoor and outdoor natatoriums, a multipurpose gymnasium, an indoor running track, and dedicated studios for yoga and fitness classes. A demonstration kitchen will be available to offer nutrition classes and meal preparation education to the community.

The center’s community-oriented design will provide spaces for parenting programs, addiction counseling, and behavioral health support. In a first for many tribal health centers, doctors at the facility will be able to prescribe activities such as swimming, yoga, and exercise classes as part of an integrated approach to wellness.

In keeping with the tribe’s values, the design of the health village was a collaborative effort, incorporating LPA’s various practices. The landscape architecture team focused on developing active outdoor spaces, including walking trails, an indoor-outdoor auditorium, and community gardens. The Sport + Rec team also integrated recreational elements into the project, ensuring the design met both the physical and emotional needs of the community.

The Redding Rancheria Tribal Health Village will provide a lasting resource for the community, with a focus on wellness that spans generations.

Originally reported by World Construction Network.