A new Planned Parenthood facility is being built on the corner of Chamberlain Street and Hayward Avenue.

Krista Noah, manager of the Ames Planned Parenthood, said the new building will be double the size of the current building located at 129 Welch Ave.

“We want to increase the comfort for our patients,” Noah said. “We hope we can serve more patients.”

Planned Parenthood has been in Ames since 1974.

Noah said Planned Parenthood has received no government funding for the new facility.

Construction began in late summer after the houses in the area were torn down.

Sarah Carlson, regional director for Planned Parenthood, said the clinic currently sees about 2,600 patients a year.

“We’ll have more efficient use of our space with the new building,” she said.

Carlson said the same services will be offered including treatment for sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy testing, breast exams, pap smears and mid-life services.

Ames Planned Parenthood officials also refer patients to Des Moines for abortions and AIDS treatment, Noah said.

“We’ll continue to refer our patients to other places for the services that we don’t provide,” Carlson said.

Construction is scheduled to be completed by Feb. 1.

“We will move in shortly after it is finished,” Noah said.