ULLIN - Construction on the Medical Arts and Science building is under way at Shawnee Community College and is expected to be completed by January 2010.

The building, which has been in the planning stages for about three years, will be 22,000 square feet and house programs such as Allied Health, licensed practical nursing and registered nursing. It will also contain a new wellness and fitness center, computer lab, wireless technology, at least seven classrooms and faculty offices.

But in addition to what it will provide, President Larry Peterson said the facility will also be a poster boy for ecological responsibility.

"The thing we're excited about is geothermal technology will be used in the building," Peterson said. "It's a big step in thinking green."

Geothermal derives energy from heat beneath the earth's surface or a combination of underground and atmospheric heat. Vice President of Instructional Services Tim Bellamy said the move will be less damaging to the planet and less costly to operate for the college.

Peterson said the new building will also be beneficial to the surrounding community because it will offer health care to surrounding communities such as Pulaski and Alexander counties.

"We want it to at least be where people can come in and get basic care," Peterson said.

He said with Pulaski and Alexander being two of the poorest counties in the state, the new building will be a great asset to the area.

Bellamy said the facility will also help students and members of the community keep the pounds off by including a fitness center complete with exercise machines. Bellamy has seen designs of the building from Image Architects and said it will be a beautiful thing inside and out.

"It's going to be a wonderful facility," Bellamy said. "It will be an attractive building but also very functional for the Allied Health Program."