The daily distraction has been well worth the wait for Administrator Ruth Walters and other health department employees. On Monday, it was time to show off the new accommodations. The health department hosted an open house to show off its expanded area and to also celebrate National Public Health Week at its office in the bottom of the county courthouse. "It all turned out pretty good," Walters said following a walk-through of the various rooms in the bottom floor of the county courthouse. The construction project added an extra 1,200 square feet of room to the existing office. The expanded area includes two offices, a small conference room, a large training room, a clinic room and a storage area. The additional room will make it easier when flu clinics and other services are offered, according to Walters. She also anticipates more county residents taking advantage of the department's services. She said the department has seen an increase in usage in the past year and expects to continue seeing more visitors come through its doors. "With the way the economic situation is right now with people without insurance, doctors are sending them here for shots," Walters said. "We could only have done so much (in the past). Now we have so much more space." Thanks to the expansion and renovations, the health department is planning to offer more services, Walters said. Currently, child immunizations are conducted once a week on Wednesdays but a second day may be added in the future. Walters said she also plans more health consulting and educational programs. Hepatitis and tetanus shots also are available. "We will be able to do even more," she remarked. Blood pressure screenings are performed twice a week and the popular car seat and helmet giveaway programs will continue. Various health department meetings also will now be held at the expanded quarters. The health department currently employs six people (three full time, two part time). Walters said her department is currently in the process of hiring a second nurse. Final construction costs are expected to total about $104,000, according to Presiding Commissioner Arden Engelage. It's slightly higher than the winning bid of $100,920 awarded to T.S. Banze Construction, Inc. The majority of the funding for the project was made possible through a $75,000 grant administered by the Missouri Foundation for Health. The commissioners were pleased with the final outcome and praised the health department officials for their ability to stay open during the construction process. "It looks great," Engelage said. "It gives them a little bit more privacy." ð