Construction began on the new building project at Johnson Memorial Health Services (JMHS) on Monday October 31! Last March, the JMHS Board of Directors approved the project which includes a new care center, relocated parking lot and helipad, a new JMHS campus entrance, a new Surgical Suite, and some internal renovations. The project will also connect the assisted living facility to the care center and the care center to the hospital and clinic via above ground tunnels.
Phase I of the project is building the new care center. The new care center features 56 private rooms, each includes a private handicap accessible bathroom and shower. The new facility incorporates the popular neighborhood concept, which provides a more homelike atmosphere by creating designated public spaces near the front entrance and quieter private living areas for the residents. Phase I is estimated to take 18 months to complete. Even with the late fall start we plan to have the building enclosed before the brunt of winter begins.
In order to keep the front entrance canopy in place for protection from the winter elements, the basement and hospital tunnel will not be built until spring. During construction, patient parking is located in the first two rows of the employee parking lot. Valet parking will continue to be available.
Phase II of the project is building the new surgical suite. From pre-op to post-op, to procedures and scopes, surgical patients will be housed in the new area. This dedicated space provides patients and family members more privacy by being isolated from hospital and clinic traffic.
Phase III of the project is the demolition of the current care center. The beloved and well maintained care center was built in 1959. Since that time it has become one of the best facilities in the State to receive care. However, due to infrastructure failings and space limitations, the current space is unable to meet the needs of future residents.
Phase IV of the project is building a new hospital and clinic entrance, relocating the parking lot and building a new helipad. The new front entrance will be located off of Locust Street, where the ER entrance is currently located.
Phase I and II of the project are expected to last between 18-24 months, with the entire project taking up to 36 months to complete. During construction JMHS will utilize the Lac qui Parle County Airport for air transfers.
The entire project is estimated to cost $25.6 million. JMHS is financing the project through a loan of $23.4 million, JMHS cash reserves and fundraising from the JM Foundation. The Care Center portion costs $16.5 million with JMHS being reimbursed $10.7 million by the state over a 20-year period.
To ensure the care center is completed to its greatest potential for our community, the JM Foundation has set an ambitious fundraising goal of $1.4 million dollars. The JM Foundation and volunteer community members have been working together to create the “Caring for the Community” fundraising campaign. Please see next week’s paper for more information from the JM Foundation as the campaign kicks off community-wide.
As the building project progresses, JMHS will continue to keep you updated. For monthly and up-to-date information on the construction project, please visit www.jmhsmn.org/about/construction-corner/. As always, please feel free to contact Stacey Lee, CEO of JMHS at 320-769-4323 with specific questions. Thank you!
