FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Preliminary work to expand the Pat Walker Health Care Center at the University of Arkansas began in January. The $15 million construction and renovation project is expected to be completed by fall 2018, with the new addition expected to open spring 2018.

The project will add 20,000 square feet to the building and further extend the reach of the health center and the impact it has on the campus community.

Health Center and campus administrators joined the Health Center staff on Tuesday, Feb. 28, to officially celebrate the expansion project.

Key features of the expansion and renovation will include:

• Three new academic classrooms that can be combined into a large, 200-seat classroom.
• New space for the Women’s Clinic on the first floor.
• Renovated space for the Primary Care Clinic and Allergy, Immunization and Travel Clinic.
• A 100 percent increase in dedicated space for Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS).
• Larger dedicated space for Wellness and Health Promotion and Administrative Services.
• Improved efficiency for all Health Center operations.

The student infirmary at the University of Arkansas was first established in 1875 by members of the Fayetteville community to isolate students with communicable disease. As control of communicable diseases became safer, the health center expanded from medical care to mental health care and wellness and health promotion. 

The Pat Walker Health Center opened its doors in 2004.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among only 2 percent of universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.