Improved center accommodates nursing program
Chase Johnson
Mesa Community College is constructing a new health and wellness center that is scheduled to open by spring break. This new improvement will be the center for the nursing program as well as exercise science.
The old Health Improvement Center is being completely remodeled and it was stripped and gutted with only the walls and ceiling left. Another 10,000 square feet is being added on the east and south side of the center, adding to the original 30,000 square feet. The two buildings, old and new, will be separated by a hallway that will give a feeling of open air.
There will be an open air student rest area with two large fans to keep cool in the summertime. The structure surrounding the sides of the old building will be classrooms. Labs and simulators for the nursing program will be inside.
The main reception area as well as faculty offices will be featured in the northwest part of the building.
The nursing department was heavily involved in planning and creating the building as well as the rooms which they needed and desired.
“All these spaces were created by the nursing department themselves. They sat down with the architect about what they needed,” said Richard Cluff, director of maintenance.
The OBGYN simulation lab is a room where students can work with subjects and mannequins for a true to life experience.
“Instructors will be able to monitor students from the other room, and with controls, cause the patient to do whatever they want (in order) to simulate real life experience while the student is trying to work through the situation,” Cluff said.
There is also a room with eight patient beds which will be set up like a hospital. Here, students can be observed from another room by instructors.
An area similar to an emergency room is also included. This is where much of the lab work will be done.
Many of the simulation rooms have floor to ceiling windows where passing students or faculty can watch while walking by, providing environments for serious study.
“The nursing program has gone all out to try and provide a good environment for students,” Cluff said.
There is a student common area which will have furniture, internet access, a big screen TV and even a complete kitchen with microwave.
“Generally people who get to this part of the program and are attending these classes won’t be leaving this building very often,” said Cluff.
“So they are trying to make so that it’s pleasing and inviting for the students to be here.”
On the south side of the new building there are four large classes for exercise science
There is also a great room with a removable wall that will be used as two separate classrooms, as well as a testing center.
Two spacious rooms for applied movements are part of the exercise science portion of the building.
Storage was a main concern with the old building, and that issue was fixed in the new construction.
“One thing about this building is that it will be providing a lot of storage,” Cluff said.
The building will be “green” as much of the floor is environmentally friendly. It will have flooring, which is a manolium “green” product, as well as stained polished brown concrete that only require dusting and damp mopping.
