Inside the Walls: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the New Casper-Natrona County Health Department Facility
This spring, the Casper-Natrona County Health Department will open the doors to a new facility – marking an exciting new chapter in how public health serves our community. More than a new building, this space represents care, collaboration, and a long-term investment in the well-being of the people of Natrona County.
“For years, our team was doing more and more to serve the citizens of Natrona County in a space that simply wasn’t designed for the way public health operates today,” shared Anna Kinder, Executive Director of the Natrona County Health Department. “As we were coming out of the most significant impacts of COVID, it became clear that we needed a facility that reflected what we had learned – about safety, access, flexibility, and preparedness.”
Designed to align space with mission, the new facility supports the Health Department’s ability to serve residents in ways that are safer, more efficient, and more welcoming – not just for today, but for the future. It’s a space built around people: the staff who show up every day to serve, and the community members who rely on those services.
Now, come along with us inside the walls of the new Casper–Natrona County Health Department facility, where thoughtful design, local craftsmanship, and a shared commitment to public service come together to support a healthier community.
Designed Around People & Service
From the earliest planning conversations, one thing was clear: this facility needed to remove barriers – not create them. For the Casper-Natrona County Health Department, that meant bringing services together under one roof, improving privacy and flow, and creating a more welcoming, accessible experience for the people they serve.
A defining feature of the new building is its drive-thru – a design element shaped directly by lived experience.
“In our old building, citizens were already coming to us in their vehicles,” Kinder shared. “Inside, spacing was difficult. Outside, winter conditions caused accidents entering and leaving the building, doors slammed shut in the wind, and when we offered services outdoors our staff were exposed to extreme heat, freezing temperatures, wind, and rain… yet they still showed up because serving the public mattered.”
Those moments informed a better solution. The new drive-thru functions much like outdoor banking – familiar, efficient, safe, and convenient – allowing the Health Department to deliver services while protecting both staff and the public. What began as a practical response has since become a model increasingly adopted across healthcare facilities nationwide.
Architecture With Intention
For MOA Architecture, the project aligned closely with the firm’s commitment to socially relevant design – architecture that improves lives through thoughtful, collaborative planning.
“Our firm focuses on projects that have the greatest impact on improving the lives of our communities,” shared Brandon Daigle of MOA Architecture. “That means thoughtful, collaborative design that prioritizes the people who occupy, maintain, and rely on the buildings we design.”
The building was intentionally designed to feel approachable for the public, intuitive for staff, and supportive of patient care. Specialized areas like confidential counseling spaces and education rooms were seamlessly integrated to support both service and learning.
There are also quieter design moments woven throughout the building. Forms inspired by Wyoming’s wind help protect people from the elements. Natural daylight fills every workspace and public area, while biophilic design elements support overall well-being – a reminder that environment matters, especially in public health.
Built By The Community, For The Community
Equally meaningful is who brought this building to life.
For Sampson Construction Co. this project was personal. Every member of the project team lives in Casper, and many will see their own families receive services inside the very walls they helped build.
“This isn’t just another job for us – it’s personal,” Logan Ridgeway, Project Executive shared. “All members of our project team are residents of Casper, and we know that members of our own families will receive vaccinations and other vital services in this facility. We’re deeply invested in the success of this new Health Department because we want to see our community thrive.”
That sense of ownership shaped the construction approach from start to finish. With a deep understanding of the Health Department’s mission, the team focused on translating vision into reality through precision and technical expertise. From the installation of medical-grade materials to the coordination of specialized systems – including confidential counseling spaces, modern education areas, and efficient drive-thru functionality – every detail was executed with durability and adaptability in mind.
“I truly believe that great achievements are accomplished through teamwork,” Ridgeway said. “Our proximity to the local market allowed us to build strong relationships with local subcontractors, and our longstanding partnership with MOA Architecture helped make this project a model of collaboration built on trust and shared knowledge.”
Long-term stewardship was also a guiding principle.
“We treated the budget as if it were our own,” Ridgeway shared. “We focused heavily on ensuring essential functions were achieved at the lowest life-cycle cost, collaborating closely with the design team to ensure this facility will serve the community well now and into the future.”
One of the most rewarding aspects of the project, Ridgeway noted, was watching the local workforce come together across generations.
“Watching our seasoned professionals mentor emerging talent on a project that means so much to Casper has been a highlight,” he said. “It’s incredibly rewarding to know this building will serve as a hub for individual and community well-being for years to come.”
Built to Last & Grow
Flexibility guided both design and construction decisions. Public health is always evolving, and this facility was intentionally built to evolve alongside it.
Exterior materials were selected to minimize maintenance and reduce energy consumption. Interior layouts allow for adaptability and future expansion. Open office configurations, meeting spaces, and shell areas ensure the building can respond to needs not yet imagined.
Kinder shared that the project came in under budget and ahead of schedule – a testament to thoughtful planning, accountability, and shared commitment.
“At the end of the day, this building represents trust,” she said. “We take that responsibility seriously. This space is about people – and about building a healthier community for everyone who calls Natrona County home.”
Looking Ahead
As the Health Department prepares to move into the new space, excitement centers not just on the building itself, but on what it enables.
“When staff are supported, citizens receive better care and services,” Kinder shared. “This building supports our team’s safety, collaboration, and ability to show up fully for the community.”
For those who designed and built it, there’s a quiet pride in knowing the facility will take on a life of its own.
“I’m so excited to hear how the building will be used by people I’ve never met at times I will never see,” Daigle reflected.
The Casper-Natrona County Health Department will host a grand opening on March 26, 2026, from 4:00–7:00 p.m., welcoming the community into a space built with intention, local expertise, and deep care for the people it serves.
It’s a powerful reminder of what’s possible when a community invests in itself, and when the people behind the walls build with purpose.
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