The Richland Hospital and Clinics share new building plans during community information session.
Richland Center, WI – The Richland Hospital and Clinics (TRHC) held a community information session at the Richland Center High School Auditorium on Wednesday, June 28, to share information regarding new facility plans. A panel of project leaders provided their rationale for the project–citing required improvements and infrastructure limitations of the current facility–before fielding questions from community members.
Hospital CEO, Bruce Roesler, stated, “The Richland Hospitals and Clinics began providing medical care to area residents in 1924, nearly 100 years ago. Tonight, we’re here to share our vision to ensure quality, independent healthcare in our community for the next 100 years.”
Current TRHC Board of Directors Treasurer, Marilyn Rinehart, acknowledged that while the current location has been well maintained and benefitted from recent upgrades, a 2018 master facility plan assessment concluded that the current facility would require more than $20 million in upgrades – estimated at $30 million today. With those figures and additional infrastructure limitations in mind, the Board and hospital leaders concluded that investing in a new facility was the most prudent financial decision.
Ryan Johansen, principal and architect from BWBR, TRHC’s chosen architecture firm, shared site plans for the future hospital and highlighted the stakeholder-driven process that is informing the design. “Our goal is to create a facility that improves patient and staff experience,” stated Johansen. The new facility will offer expanded ER, rehabilitation, and surgical services; improve patient privacy and wayfinding; incorporate state-of-the-art technology; and allow for future expansion. The future building site is located along Highway 14 east of Richland Center city limits, adjacent to the Pine River State Trail.
TRHC Chief Financial Officer and building project lead, Elizabeth Moore, shared a breakdown of the funding sources the organization plans to leverage to finance the project. Of the estimated $115 million needed for the project, TRHC anticipates drawing on $20 million from its own resources; $15 million from federal, state, and local (charitable) sources; and $80 million in loans from the USDA and other entities. If the non-profit organization can secure funding, TRHC intends to break ground in the spring of 2024.
Engaged community members voiced concerns and questions, which the panel answered in an extensive Q&A session. Roesler welcomed the questions, stating that TRHC knows that support from the community will be a critical element in the success of the project. Community members unable to attend the information session can view a recording of the event here: https://youtu.be/EoYrPOjH6PQ and via the TRHC website at RichlandHospital.com TRHC will populate a frequently asked questions (FAQ) page at RichlandHospital.com, as well, to keep community members informed. In addition, questions relating to this facility replacement project can be emailed to communityrelations@richlandhospital.com.
The Richland Hospital and Clinics (TRHC) operates an independent, integrated group medical practice, two rural health clinics, and a critical access hospital – and celebrates nearly 100 years of service to the health care needs of people in the greater Richland County area. TRHC, a not-for-profit organization, is located in Richland Center, Wisconsin, 60 miles west of Madison and 65 miles east of La Crosse with rural health clinics located in Muscoda and Spring Green.
For general information about TRHC, contact Shawna Connor, Director of Community Relations & Marketing at 608.647.1886 or shawna.connor@richlandhospital.com.