MINOCQUA – Construction season is in full swing, and a good example is the Marshfield Clinic Health System’s new hospital in Minocqua where site work is well underway by the general contractor.
The Boldt Company, of Stevens Point, expects to have footings and foundations done by June 7. Grading should be completed by May 31. Work is also being done on a retention pond and underground utilities.
Marshfield Clinic officials declined an interview, but did provide written answers to questions submitted to them. Work on the multi-million project started weeks ago with completion anticipated for next spring, according to Marshfield Clinic.
The hospital is being built at 9601 Townline Road, just west of the current clinic, Minocqua Center. Once finished, the 72,000-square-foot, two-story hospital will be known as Marshfield Medical Center-Minocqua. Boldt and its subcontractors have hired some local labor, according to Marshfield Clinic. Nimsgern Steel, of Minocqua, is supplying the structural steel.
“We anticipate more local organizations to be involved in various phases of the project,” replied a Marshfield Clinic spokesperson.
There have not been any significant changes in the project scope, either in physical size or intended services, since last fall. Nor have there been any significant unforeseen issues. As stipulated by the conditional use permit, the main entrance will be off Highway 70 West. The county turned down their request for a helipad.
The new hospital will have 12 private patient bedrooms; a birthing center with four private patient rooms for labor and delivery, a C-Section room along with two flexible/postpartum private patient rooms; a full surgical suite, including four operating rooms and three procedure rooms. It will have an emergency department, imaging and lab space, radiology, pharmacy and other services. The hospital will be designated a Level III trauma care facility. “(A Level III) hospital provides assessment, resuscitation, stabilization, and emergency surgery and arranges transfer to a Level I or II facility for definitive surgical and intensive care as necessary,” according to the website of the state Department of Health Services, which says “91% of Wisconsin’s hospitals are at Level III or IV.”
MCHS declined to indicate an updated final cost, although Dr. Bill Melms, chief medical officer for MCHS, said last fall that the project would be in the neighborhood of $35 million. There is also recruitment of some personnel underway, the spokesperson said. “The vast majority of the physicians who will be working in Marshfield Medical Center - Minocqua are currently employed with Marshfield Clinic Health System and working in Minocqua at this time,” according to the spokesperson. “We have begun recruiting for the few additional specialties that will be needed upon hospital opening. This includes anesthesiology and emergency medicine. “We are also recruiting for senior level hospital management including a Chief Administrative Officer, Chief Nursing Officer and surgical services manager. “
