By Rebecca Dann

The Health and Counseling Center will move to a new facility by the 2013-14 academic year, following the Board of Trustees approval of the plan last April.

The move follows a nearly 10-year conversation about the current Centers poor accommodations.

From the first day I walked into the [current building], there were challenges, said Kim Cullers, director of health services. Those challenges had to do with how this Health Center is configured and how we get people in and out and in maintaining privacy and confidentiality.

Chief Business Officer Mark Kohlman agreed with Cullers concerns about the state of the current building. Where they are currently is just a house that weve over the years kind of tweaked, he said. Its awful in terms of how it was intended to be used and what its being used for.

Along with Dean of Students Hank Toutain and Director of Counseling Services Patrick Gilligan, Cullers has been collaborating with an architectural firm to ensure the new facility meets the Colleges medical and counseling needs.

The new building will be on Scott Lane behind the post office where the Business Services office and the College mail room are currently located. I think the central location is going to be key. Having it down in the Village will make for easier access for South Campus students, Cullers said.

The selection of the Scott Lane site plays a key role in starting to redevelop a part of the campus and Gambier community that over the years has deteriorated, Kohlman said.

The proposed Health Center will be about twice the size of the current building. In addition to private exam rooms, it will feature space for meetings and other activities, said Cullers.

Final plans for the project will go to the Board for approval in October, and construction should begin next semester.

Its like a whole new era of what we can do with the Health Center, Cullers said. Its a really exciting project and I hope it keeps moving in this direction.

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