CCHC breaks ground on $40.35 million hospital

David Garnas, during a public event at the Broadway Plaza on July 25, 2019, announced that Cloud County Health Center (CCHC), with support from Salina Regional Health Center, was moving forward with a plan to build a modern medical facility on College Drive.
Garnas, the CCHC administrator since April 2018, made the commitment to not seek local tax dollars to finance the project.
Construction of the $40.35 million, 76,000-square-foot health care facility began Monday afternoon with a groundbreaking ceremony.
“The fact that we were able to use USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) funds and to go through the entire process, and ultimately be able to accomplish what we promised the community we would do, I hope the community sees this as a huge accomplishment and one of the biggest building projects in the county and in the city,” Garnas said. “It is a great accomplishment and we are doing it without tax support.”
Construction of the new hospital, which will replace the current building that is 70 years old, is expected to be completed by the fall of 2022.
“By the time construction is done, staff is oriented to the new building, we are stocked and supplied and all of the equipment is in, we will move in October of 2022 for business,” Garnas said.
The new facility will have 14 inpatient beds, emergency department, surgery space, health clinic, all appurtenant services and space to continue to provide the variety of specialty clinic services, all on one level.
“Our staff has been very patiently waiting for this day to happen, and to be able to see progress on a new building,” Garnas said, “so this is a celebration for all of them who persevered and stuck with it as we have figured out the best way to build a new building.”
McCownGordon Construction, selected to provide construction management at-risk services during the planning stages of the project, will be the general contractor.
Garnas thanked the hospital staff, medical staff, board of directors, Salina Regional Health Center and its board of directors for their involvement in bringing the project to fruition.
Facility Planning
CCHC, along with Salina Regional Health Center, launched a Master Site and Facility Plan in December of 2018 with TreanorHL, an architectural firm, and Brack & Associates Consulting Engineers, P.A.
Results of the plan were released in May 2019.
It was stated that the findings of the review team do not support the continued use of the current hospital building for acute care nor outpatient care functions. The existing multi-story configuration of the building estranged departmental relationships, as well as site slope elements which have constrained the staff, patients and visitors for multiple years.
According to the plan, limited ceiling heights, narrow room bays, undersized toilets and aged mechanical systems, coupled with extreme departmental separations, form a strong basis for new construction.
It was also determined that achieving a useable and maintainable building for the next 70 years will not be cost-effective through renovations.
Three sites were evaluated for the construction of a new hospital, including the current location.
The property on College Drive, that was owned by the city of Concordia, was determined to be the best option.
Garnas would announce in July 2019 plans to build the new hospital.
That same month, the Concordia city commission approved a development agreement with CCHC for property in College Drive Park for the purposes of constructing the new hospital.
The Cloud County board of trustees approved entering into a development agreement with CCHC for Lot 6 on College Drive.
CCHC sought USDA financing through a program that develops essential community facilities in rural areas to construct, purchase equipment and pay related project expenses for a new health care facility.
Garnas announced on June 12, 2020, that CCHC had received a letter of obligation from the USDA that financing had been approved.
The groundbreaking on the project was originally planned for November or December of 2020, but was delayed because the COVID-19 pandemic slowed the design process.
“We picked our design team in February of 2020 and kicked it off, and little did we know we would be in the midst of a pandemic in March. And so the big challenge was just the fact that we had to design this in a virtual manner. And you don’t see that very often,” Garnas said. “But we have a really great design team and a great crew of people and everybody really persevered. Did it slow us down? Sure, but they persevered and they were able to work through it and do it virtually.”
The delay allowed for a more competitive bidding process on the project.
CCHC received 127 bids on the project
With the planning and design work completed, construction is now underway.

Cloud County Health Center employees and com- munity members shared their thoughts on the con- struction of a new $40.35 million, 76,000-square foot hospital in Concordia.

Kim Reynolds, Executive Director of CloudCorp.
“A new healthcare facility is an amazing opportunity for Concordia and all of Cloud County. In rural America, hospitals are many times the centerpiece of economic vitality, providing jobs and resources for the community residents. Health care facilities are typically one of the largest employers... the recruitment and retention of hospital employees is easier if we are able to provide them with a quality facility.  In conjunction with that, when a company is looking to expand and relocate to a community, much emphasis in the decision of where to relocate is based on the quality of the healthcare facility and services available for the potential employees and their families. Investing in the future of health care in our community and region is critical to the economic and community development initiatives of Cloud County.”

Eric Voss, Concordia Fire Chief:
"It's a great thing. For our department, the design of the hospital is going to make it easier and much more efficient for our EMS and emergency services."

Chuck Lambertz, City Commissioner and Mayor:
Concordia has long been blessed by the presence of the Sisters of Saint Joseph. We were especially fortunate when they founded the first hospital in Concordia in 1903. Since that time, while ownership may have changed, we have continually maintained a medical facility in our community which has been self-sufficient. To this day, we remain one of only a small handful of medical facilities in the state of Kansas which is not tax-supported. Continuing with those values and principals in mind, we now see the culmination of many years of planning with the start of construction for our new medical facility which is as monumental today as the first two medical centers were in their respective times. Our medical center has and continues to be one of the largest employers in our area, and with our current leadership team and the new building, we will certainly be able to maintain our current staff as well as welcome new employees and providers to our city. This significant investment in our community will serve not only as the pinnacle of medical care for our area for many years to come, but also as a beacon for anyone traveling or visiting our community to illustrate how viable, attractive and resourceful of a city Concordia is and will continue to be.

Ron Copple, County Commissioner:
Having a new medical facility will be complementary to Cloud County, especially with new technology and updated medical equipment.
The location of the new hospital is perfect. It will be right off of US 81 Highway - Lincoln Street. For major emergencies, it is very close to Blosser Municipal Airport-CNK, where LifeSafe and EagleMed can fly in for serious trauma cases.
I believe this new facility will bring in people from surrounding communities.

Amber Knoettgen, President of Cloud County Community College:
We could not be more excited to welcome Cloud County Health Center as our new neighbor. We have a strong partnership with the hospital, which has provided valuable services to not only our students, but our faculty and staff.
This facility is an investment, not just in the future of Cloud County Health Center, but in our community. It will be a tremendous benefit to current and future residents in providing quality healthcare, while also creating jobs and partnerships that will support our local economy.

Amy Lange, City Manager:
“A critical component of any vibrant community is quality healthcare. We are fortunate to have access to a broad scope of professional medical care in Concordia, and we are thrilled Cloud County Health Center is building a new modern medical facility to better support these services.”

Dr. Greg Hattan:
People like to associate themselves with success. Achieving a coveted goal after years of adversity provides a wonderful feeling of accomplishment and hope for a better tomorrow.
The people of Cloud County will be justifiably proud of the new hospital facility and the possibilities it presents for technological advances in health care.
However, the greatest benefit will be the boost in community morale and hope for a promising future.

COMMENTS FROM CCHC STAFF
Denise Baumann RRT/Director:
I am excited for the new cardiac rehab/physical therapy area with so much more room for our patients. I am excited that all the outpatient testing will be able to be on the same floor and in close proximity to all departments.
 
Melissa Cash MLS (ASCP):
I will miss the windows and being able to see what is going on outside. I am looking forward to our new lab and seeing how well it flows!
 
Sara Hake RN/Emergency Department Coordinator:
I am looking forward to a more conducive work flow and improved processes for patients and staff. I have learned a lot in the 12 years I have worked here, and I am going to miss the history and memories made.
 
Shawna Huggans APRN:
I'm excited to see our community move to the forefront in medical care for north central Kansas. The medical services, providers and access to specialty doctors is already second to none. Now we will have a top notch facility to match!
 
Lacey Champlin Radiology Supervisor:
I'm excited for patients to have easier access to the departments and to not have to travel to different floors.  I'm also excited for the new imaging equipment we will be using!
 
Della Strait Director of Nursing:
What am I looking forward to in the new hospital? The easy access to the Emergency Department for our very ill patients, not having to take the elevator up to fourth floor. The availability for all patient services to be on one level. The extra security the new building is going to provide our staff and patients. Also, having adequate heating, cooling and ventilation!
What am I going to miss? The memories I’ve shared with co-workers over the years, the challenge of finding work-arounds for the obstacles the building throws at us daily and the history of the Sisters in this building.
 
Kirstin Strait Medical Assistant:
I’m excited about the convenience of the hospital. Having lab, x-ray, OPS, etc., all on one floor so the patient does not have to go up and down the elevator to get to different departments.
 
Lisa Hasenbank RN/Risk Manager:
History is so important. It helps us ground ourselves and creates memories to share and learn from and grow on. There is a nostalgic aspect of this hospital that will be missed.
In how we currently do healthcare and with what healthcare is moving to in our futures, the physical makeup of the current hospital is less efficient. I am excited for the aspect of better flow and comfort for our customers and staff.