The University of Florida Health (UF Health) has celebrated the ground-breaking of the new Florida Recovery Center (FRC) campus in north-west Gainesville, US. 

This marks the commencement of an expansion designed to enhance addiction treatment services. 

It will replace the current FRC facility near Williston Road on 13th Street, reported UF Health's Matt Walker. 

The new campus is expected to increase the number of patient beds to 138 and will encompass 47,676ft² of residential and therapeutic spaces across three buildings.  

This includes a single-storey commons building and two three-story residential buildings. 

The new facility will have amenities such as a swimming pool, gym, outdoor recreation area, and a pickleball court, all aimed at supporting the recovery process.  

Additionally, an existing 18,700ft² administrative building will undergo renovations. 

The revitalised building will accommodate offices and various services, including addiction evaluations, group and individual therapy, lectures, and outpatient care. 

UF Health clinical enterprise president and system CEO Steve Motew said: “We have one of the nation’s most highly recognised and distinguished programs to advance scientific discovery that leads to new treatment advances in caring for those suffering from addiction or substance use disorders. 

“Now, with our latest plans for a new Florida Recovery Center campus, we will soon have facilities that match the clinical excellence offered by our nationally renowned UF addiction medicine specialists.” 

FRC medical director Scott Teitelbaum added: “It was our dream to be here and to have a treatment centre here. It was always our dream to stand here today, and to have this dream be realised is somewhat surreal.” 

Construction of the new campus is expected to reach completion by late 2025.