FACILITY REPLACEMENT
PROJECT FAQ

When do you anticipate breaking ground on the new project?

The timeline is contingent on many factors. The best case would be to break ground in the spring of 2024.

There are several hurdles the project needs to clear for that date to be feasible, and our team is working to address those outstanding requirements and address other tactical issues before construction begins. 

When will the new facility open?

While there are many factors still at play that will determine our final timeline, in the best-case scenario, we hope to move into our new facility in early 2026.

Why build new rather than update the existing building?

After much deliberation and research, we decided building new was the most responsible financial and strategic decision for the organization.

In 2018, a master facility plan concluded that the current location needed more than $20 million in upgrades (est. $30 million today). In addition, due to the age of the current facility, there are significant infrastructure limitations related to technology and utilities that would need to be addressed, as well as space limitations that are not easily solvable. These challenges coupled with significant opportunities afforded by new construction led to the decision to build new.

A new facility will allow us to enhance patient experience, incorporate the latest technology, create efficiencies and flexibility, allow for future expansion, and support staff recruitment and retention.

How will the size of the new location compare to the current hospital?

Our current facility is roughly 170,000 square feet. The design for our future facility is 140,000 square feet.

Why will the new location be smaller than the existing location?

The size and design of the new facility are being determined by multiple factors. Changes in health care, potential design efficiencies, remote work options, and our budget are all informing the footprint of our future design.

That said, the principal factor driving the size and scope of our project is the budget. Our team is committed to creating a new facility that is designed to enhance patient care and staff experience while remaining financially prudent.  

Where is the proposed building site?

Our future medical center will be located east of the Richland Center city limits on U.S. Highway 14, adjacent to the Pine River State Trail.

The location will allow for improved access to emergency services and more parking.

The new setting also affords expansive views of the area landscape, which will be highlighted through the building design. Proximity to natural areas and the walking trail will be leveraged to support staff and patient wellness and aid in healing.

Is there a plan to address traffic issues that may be caused by the new location?

During the site selection process, we discussed anticipated changes in traffic volume with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. They informed us that the traffic needs could be addressed with additional markings and lane changes but that a stoplight would not be necessary.

Will there be an onsite pharmacy in the new location?

We currently lease space to an independent pharmacy, Richland Family Prescription Center, that serves many of our patients, which we understand to be a convenience many appreciate. We anticipate maintaining a retail pharmacy in our future location. The new design will improve the privacy and confidentiality of pharmacist-and-patient consultations. 

Will the hospital give preference to local construction contractors if they bid on the project?

We would like the new Richland Hospital and Clinics facility to be as locally built as possible. As required by regulations pertaining to the proposed USDA loan, the bidding process for a job this size is competitive. We will be reviewing proposals from general contractors in the coming weeks and subcontractors will be hired after that. Knowing construction and the trades are significant employment sectors in our area, we’d be thrilled to see familiar faces at work on the project.

If the new location is smaller than the current location, will there be a reduction in services available?

We will not be eliminating any services that we currently provide. We will, however, be evaluating the space allocated for particular offerings and making adjustments based on patient demand.

Do you anticipate the project affecting staffing levels in any way?

We anticipate a modest increase in staffing levels.

While we are scoping our project based on the current demand for services, we anticipate an increase in patient volumes. The new facility will allow us to increase access to some high-demand services. Additionally, we believe the new facility will appeal to patients who may currently be traveling elsewhere for health care.

How will the hospital manage having less space if it doesn’t plan to eliminate any services?

We are designing our space and allocating square footage in a way that prioritizes patient care.

Changes in technology and trends in patient care have already altered our space needs in some respects, and building new will allow us to design with these realities in mind. Some innovative medical technologies, like Acuity-Adaptable Units, will allow us to get more value out of the square footage we will have.

Our teams are also working closely with our chosen architecture firm, BWBR, to evaluate department needs on a function-by-function basis and identify beneficial adjacencies that will reduce inefficient uses of space.

Will there be additional services offered in the new location?

We currently plan to expand our emergency, rehabilitation, and surgical services. We are not currently planning new services, like radiation therapy.

The Richland Hospital and Clinics is a 25-bed critical care hospital. Will the hospital plan to have fewer beds? How might that affect the hospital’s funding?

Our hospital is certified by the Medicare program as a critical access hospital, which puts us in a favorable financial payment system for rural hospitals. The maximum size of a critical access hospital under Medicare rules is 25 beds, which is the number we have today. As part of our ongoing design process, we’ve engaged in recent utilization studies that suggest 25 beds are more than we need, as it’s rare that our facility uses even close to this number of beds at a given time. While the final decision has not been made, we anticipate having fewer beds in the new location.

How will the project be paid for?

We are working closely with various partners to ensure the costs of the project are responsibly managed and match our funding capabilities. Funding sources include the hospital’s own equity; loans from various sources; and other federal, state, and local sources.

Is there an active capital campaign that I can contribute to?

The Richland Hospital Foundation is engaged in a study to determine the feasibility of a capital campaign to help underwrite the cost of the new facility. No conclusions have been reached as of this time.

TRHC and the Richland Hospital Foundation are both 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations, meaning both exist to serve the greater Richland community, and depend on charitable support to fully achieve our mission. We’re thankful for donations to enable the purchase of medical equipment and funding of health care educational scholarships.

What will happen to the current hospital building once the move is complete?

No decisions have been made regarding the future of the existing medical facility, however all of our patient care services will be relocated to our new faciltiy.