The Hamilton County Commission on Wednesday approved a $327,000 contract to renovate portions of the McDaniel Building for an employee wellness center.
Becky Barnes, who heads the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department, has said said the wellness center will include a gym with cardio and strength equipment as well as room for educational classes.
The center is expected to open by the end of the year. It would replace an older, outdated facility maintained by the county at the Mayfield Annex on Seventh Street.
The commission awarded the contract for the wellness center to J&J Contractors.
Commissioner Richard Casavant was the only “no” vote and other commissioners had several questions about access to the facility and how many people would use it.
This will be the second health-oriented function of the county’s McDaniel Building on North Highland Park Avenue. The county recently approved a contract for an employee pharmacy there.
Rebecca Hunter, the county’s director of human resources, said the pharmacy and wellness center are both aimed at saving taxpayers money.
For complete coverage, read Thursday’s edition of the Times Free Press.