New health department building opens

Alleghany County's new health complex is now open. Health and other county personnel moved equipment and records into the building on July 20 and on Monday, and the Alleghany County Health Center opened to the public Tuesday.

"I can't wait," Eva Wooten, the county's public health nursing supervisor, said last week. "It is super-nice. It is going to be a pleasure for the public."

The 8,500-square-foot building will be roomier than the old health department location on Willis Street. Wooten said staff will be able to see more patients and that there are better parking facilities and a nice waiting room. "There will be better working facilities for the staff and the public," she stated.

Clinic and physician services are available. A dental unit was also included in the building's construction. "Dental services will be available later, down the road, when more planning is done," said Wooten.

The building will also house the district business and environmental health offices, but they will not be moving until the end of this week. Those offices will remain in their present location until Friday, then re-open at the new complex on July 30.