Kevin Kerr
The Duncan Banner
DUNCAN —
The Stephens County Health Center has quietly been undergoing renovations since June of this year, and while it may not look it from the outside, the employees and clients can tell you there’s a lot going on behind the outside walls.
Administrative Director Mike Milton said that renovations are not a rare occurrence for the building, but for this particular part of the building, it’s the first time.
“That part of the building hasn’t had anything done to it really since it was built in the ‘60s,” Milton said. “So it’s been 50 some years since anything has been done there.”
The building has had at least two major add-ons since it was built, and several minor renovations to those areas.
Recently, it was discovered that ground water was seeping into the air system which is actually buried under the building instead of running through ducts above head. Milton said they could pump out the water and it would stay dry for a time, but when it rained, water would seep back into the ducts underground.
“There was an odor in our air system as well due to the water,” Milton said.
“We looked into different repairs for the existing system, but the decision was made to just take it up above in the ceiling.”
In order for the project to get underway, the rooms affected had to be temporarily vacated, and nurses’ offices had to be moved into the auditorium area until renovations are complete.
Much of the medical exam rooms and labs have been moved into the counseling side of the building, and essentially all aspects of the health center are sharing one hallway instead of three.
“The work is taking up about 25 percent of the floor space in the building,” Milton said. “We’ve made it as comfortable and friendly as possible for the clients and employees.”
Milton said the construction hasn’t impeded any of their normal activity, just shifted the location for a short while.
“We’re looking at being finished in the next three weeks,” Milton said.
He said he was happy with the work that had been put in so far by the contractor and the construction crew and was happy that his staff was willing to adjust to the changes.
“Everyone has been real patient and has done well, but we’re anxious to get moved back in there and back to business as usual,” Milton said.
— Kevin Kerr is a reporter for The Duncan Banner. He can be reached at 580-255-5354 Ext. 147 or by e-mail at kevin.kerr@duncanbanner.com.
