12/06/2021
By Ruben Sanca

The Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell announced it has earned the WELL Health-Safety Rating through the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI). The WELL Health-Safety Rating is an evidence-based, third-party verified rating for all new and existing building and space types focusing on operational policies, maintenance protocols, stakeholder engagement and emergency plans to address a post-COVID-19 environment now and into the future.


“Our achievement of the WELL Health-Safety Rating was a commitment to enhancing our policies to put our customers, employees and partners first and going above and beyond to protect their health and wellness when entering our facility,” said Tsongas Center Assistant General Manager Lucas Kistler. “We hope that seeing the WELL seal helps people regain confidence and excitement to enter our doors and experience entertainment outside their home.”

Designed to empower owners and operators across large and small businesses alike to take the necessary steps in order to prioritize the health and safety of their staff, visitors and stakeholders, the WELL Health-Safety Rating can help guide users in preparing their spaces for re-entry in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, instilling confidence in those who come through the building as well as the broader community.

In order to achieve the WELL Health-Safety Rating, the Tsongas Center has implemented features that address Cleaning and Sanitation Procedures, Emergency Preparedness Programs, Health Service Resources and Air and Water Quality Management.

“The WELL Health-Safety Rating shows that Spectra and UMass Lowell are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of everyone visiting the Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell,” said Tsongas Center General Manager Keith Vaske. “It proves we are willing to take the necessary actions to step up to the challenges of the ever-changing environment of managing a premier event venue like the Tsongas Center. I appreciate the leadership that Lucas provided to our entire Spectra team throughout this process, as well as the efforts put in by our partners at UMass Lowell, including the UML Sustainability Department, Emerald Green Building Cleaning Services, Aramark and the Durkin Company. It was a total team effort and so important for our journey in moving forward in a post pandemic world."

The WELL Health-Safety Rating provides a centralized source and governing body to validate efforts made by owners and operators. It leverages insights drawn from the IWBI Task Force on COVID-19, in addition to guidance on the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory infections developed by the World Health Organization (WHO), U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), global disease control and prevention centers and emergency management agencies, as well as recognized standard-making associations such as ASTM International and ASHRAE, and leading academic and research institutions, as well as core principles already established by IWBI’s WELL Building Standard, the premier framework for advancing health in buildings and spaces of all kinds.

“We have always been fortunate to have one of the best venues in all of Hockey East and America East on our campus, but this honor for the Tsongas Center proves Keith, Lucas and their entire staff are doing what it takes to stay the best following the COVID-19 pandemic,” said UMass Lowell Director of Athletics Peter Casey. “Congratulations to our partners at the Tsongas Center on this much deserved recognition.

We thank you for going above and beyond to make our student-athletes, coaches, staff and fans safe, and for continuing to provide an outstanding atmosphere for games and events.”

The Tsongas Center was awarded the WELL Health-Safety Rating following the successful completion of a third-party documentation review by GBCI to confirm it has met the feature specific intents and requirements.

A list of prohibited items can be found at www.tsongascenter.com/security.