Follow the yellow spray-can markings in the south parking lot at St. Joseph's Area Health Services, and you can start to visualize the look of the 50,000-square-foot addition which will connect St. Joseph's with Dakota Clinic.
Excavating on the $26 million building and renovation project will begin to morph the area immediately south of St. Joseph's as the parking lot makes way for the new structure.
Architects recently revealed the latest rendering of the medical center which will house the hospital and clinic under one roof.
"It's an exciting time as plans make way for reality," says Ben Koppelman, St. Joseph's president/CEO.
The public is invited to groundbreaking ceremonies set for 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 5 at the future construction site.
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"The groundbreaking is for the community," said Mark Schik, St. Joseph's Foundation Board chair. "It's their support and generosity that has made this project happen."
It's been more than two years since the foundation board formed and began a feasibility study following decades of talks between Dakota and St. Joseph's about joining forces. That's what makes this venture so exciting, Schik said.
"It's exciting for the community as a whole," Schik added. "The growth of the community is based off of the strength of its healthcare system. It's so vitally important."
Helen Keezer, St. Joseph's Board of Directors chair, agrees the community backing was pivotal in making this project happen.
"What the community has done for this endeavor is phenomenal when we look at the size of Park Rapids," Keezer says. "I think we all realize healthcare is something we are fortunate to have in a town of this size with a hospital of this size... and we want to keep it."
Keezer further notes that having a facility like this becomes more important with increased constraints in healthcare and difficulties inherent in keeping healthcare viable in communities our size.
"Here we are, not only keeping it but expanding in a joint venture with Dakota Clinic," she adds.
Koppelman, knee-deep in pulling all of the logistics together for this project, anticipates the project will take a little less than two years to complete. Once excavation begins, he expects the new office building to be operating by early next fall. Renovations within St. Joseph's will continue into the following year before the project is done.
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Ultimately, the joint project will improve access and convenience as the hospital and clinic share a common entrance. The facility has been designed to be patient friendly with increased privacy and improved cost effectiveness. Patients, physicians and staff will also appreciate the new efficiency the layout offers.
As always, Koppelman says patient safety and quality care will continue to be a top priority.
St. Joseph's Foundation has been conducting a campaign to raise $2.5 million locally to help fund the project. To date the focus has largely been on lead donations. The community-wide campaign will begin this summer. Anyone wanting to make a contribution now is asked to call Cynthia Rooney, St. Joseph's communication/development manager at 237-5711.
The hospital is located at 600 Pleasant Ave. Refreshments will be provided following the ceremony.
