By: Adam Lorio
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (UATV) — Serving students remains priority number one for the team at the Sports Injury Clinic.
In February 2024, University Recreation announced a 15-month renovation project to the Health, Physical Education and Recreation (HPER) building on campus, which houses classrooms, various recreational facilities, the campus’s largest fitness center, and the Sports Injury Clinic. The $24 million renovation will eventually manifest itself into an additional 13,000 square feet of fitness center space, two new turf functional training areas, updated fitness equipment, new and improved multi-purpose spaces, and modernized locker rooms. The renovation aims to modernize campus fitness offerings and accommodate growing demand from students.
Naturally, this large-scale undertaking has led to significant reshuffling; developers have relocated gym equipment, entrances, and functional space to temporarily accommodate the construction. One space that remains fully operational, however, is the Sports Injury Clinic, led by Avery Thomas, Assistant Director of Athletic Training. She and her team of graduate athletic training students lead a full-scale clinic for students with athletic injuries, providing evaluations, treatment options, and rehabilitation programs entirely for free.
“The renovation hasn’t directly affected the clinic … None of our area is under renovation. The entire HPER has seen less foot traffic in general, and we’re located by the former main entry from campus, which is being turned into windows. We haven’t seen a negative impact from the project,” said Thomas.
Mark Todd, a graduate student and longtime patient of the Sports Injury Clinic, says the clinic has had a “phenomenal impact” on his recovery, and he’s relieved the renovation hasn’t interfered with its services.
“The project hasn’t changed much [about the clinic] throughout this year. I have to walk farther around the building to get to the clinic. That’s about it,” said Todd.
The clinic is open Sunday through Thursday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. in HPER 320. For students recovering from injuries, the clinic continues to offer free, personalized care—even as the building around it undergoes massive change.