Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby led a historic ground breaking ceremony in Purcell Monday, May 4, when dirt was turned to begin construction on a trio of Chickasaw Nation facilities.

More than 150 people gathered as ground was broken for a new Chickasaw Nation Wellness Center, Purcell Area Office and expansion of the Health Clinic in the 1400 block of Hardcastle Boulevard.

Gov. Anoatubby said that the new facilities are needed because the number of services available to Chickasaws has grown considerably during the last decade.

“A campus atmosphere, much like the one we have in Ardmore, seems to be working well, so we are excited to see the Purcell Area campus growing to help make access to our programs as convenient as possible.”

The wellness center will be the fourth such facility in the Chickasaw Nation.

“Many citizens in the Purcell area have expressed an interest in having a wellness center. We strive to keep the lines of communication open to ensure we fulfill our mission to the best of our ability,” said Gov. Anoatubby. “We are very pleased to begin construction on the Wellness Center because the Chickasaw Nation strongly believes that being physically active is very important when it comes to an individual’s quality of life.”

The 15,500-square foot wellness center will feature three large exercise rooms, practice areas and a pool. The gym area will be fully-equipped with treadmills, elliptical and rowing machines, free weights and strength equipment. In addition, the Wellness Center will offer numerous exercise classes.

The Wellness Center is expected to employee 7 wellness educators.

“Expansion to the Purcell Clinic is a great opportunity to invest in the health of our people,” said Gov. Anoatubby. “We are excited about these new and expanded services in Purcell.”

The expansion will include an additional of up to 13,000 square feet to provide more space to accommodate the growing number of patient visits as well as new services, including medical imaging, laboratory services and physical therapy.

The addition includes four new exam rooms and nine new dental chairs to provide dental services at the Purcell Clinic.

An estimated 30 new jobs and an additional 17,000 patient visits a year are expected to be added once the Purcell Clinic expansion is complete.

Construction of a new Chickasaw Nation Area Office on the Purcell campus will provide a larger place where Chickasaw citizens can meet and learn about programs and services in a convenient location. The new construction will replace an existing location on Green Avenue.

The upgraded Area Office will include 12,000 square feet of space and will feature a large community room and a catering kitchen and a large conference room, which will double as safe room.

For more information about the Purcell Area Office, please call (405) 527-4973 or visit Chickasaw.net.