N.C. A&T officials broke ground for the construction of Sebastian Health Center on Feb. 21, locattedat the southeast corner of Benbow Road and Bluford Street.
The two-story, 27,548 square foot facility will replace the existing health center. The current building does not meet contemporary building code requirements. However, the new facility will meet all building codes and regulations as well as satisfy the demands of the current and future student body.
The new building will be equipped with eleven exam rooms, a women’s health center, seminar rooms, a pharmacy, a laboratory, a diagnostic area, a immunization area, a substance abuse and counseling area, secure record retention area and a triage area.
“We are really excited. This gives us a chance to offer even better services and the space is long overdue,” said Yvonne Parks, A&T’s nursing supervisor. “Students deserve this.Though we have done a great job with our current building, we are moving in the right direction and advancing to a different level.”
The current health center was constructed in 1953.
“The architectural vision for the project is to reflect the progressive vision of the university,” said Andrew Perkins, assistant vice chancellor for facilities.
“Other factors considered will be the connectivity of the new student health center to nearby residential areas, incorporation and connectivity to open spaces on adjacent sites as well as connectivity to the campus as a whole.”
Though this comes as a relief to some, everyone is not moved by the new health center.
“Though this is indeed a well needed enhancement for the university, the biggest [issue] is not the infrastructure, but the business environment,” Ian Surret, senior computer science student. “If this new building is a catalyst for revamping the health center altogether, this will definitely be wonderful for the university.”
According to officials, construction is set to begin April 1, and the expected completion time is 16 months, with the projected cost as $9.5 million.
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- Niya Smith, Contributor