Newman Regional Health Board of Trustees members say it’s an exciting time for the hospital with a major capital campaign officially approved this week.
Board Chair Nancy Wells says the Building On campaign, approved unanimously Wednesday, is the right move at the right time, adding it’s good when you can improve efficiency, capabilities and structure in one project as this is designed to do. The project will create a new patient tower, add first-floor space just east of the original building, redo internal infrastructure and reconfigure internal space.
Chief Executive Officer Cathy Pimple says it’s high time for major renovations because of hospital’s aging infrastructure.
And major renovations are ahead. Phase 1 will relocate the central plant. Phase 2 involves building a new patient tower above the emergency department, as well as renovating the connector building and constructing a shell space for upcoming “perioperative services.” Phase 3 then would lead to the perioperative services construction and a renovation of the administrative space.
The modernization effort will also lead to the demolition of a small area on the north side of the hospital, as well as all but the first floor of the original 1920 hospital building.
Building On developed behind the scenes last year as the hospital worked with Kinetic to flesh out the plan and sound out potential donors. Pimple says Kinetic has a lot of confidence in the end result, giving hospital leaders confidence as they go forward.
The plan, publicized during a board meeting this past December, also came at a time when Tyson Foods was winding down all its local operations as the lead wave of other significant job cuts or business closures — and Wednesday’s board vote follows a cut at Michelin and the closure of Hopkins earlier this year. Wells recognizes the total investment of $46 million to $57 million may give some residents pause, while the combination of investment cost during a period of economic adjustment — or contraction, depending on the viewpoint — may have others concerned. To her, it’s about balancing “the big money” with the big picture.
Pimple says the goal is to have 80 percent — or more — of any funding handled by private donations. The hospital is prepared to develop a bond package and refinance existing bonds as needed, along with using any approved market tax credits, to fill any fundraising gaps. The Lyon County Commission would have to sign off on any bond package, given the hospital’s status as a county-owned facility, and Pimple says Newman Regional would likely use a Public Building Commission on any bond.
Pimple also says the recent “anchor hospital” designation for Newman Regional Health through the federal Rural Health Transformation Program encapsulates the hospital’s regional importance.
With that designation, Wells says, comes a responsibility to provide top-level care.
The current plan has construction ending as soon as 2029.
