RCHC breaks ground on site of new hospital
from the Plainville Times

Well over 150 citizens from Rooks County were present for the Groundbreaking Ceremony at the site of the new Rooks County Health Center on Monday, December 4 in extremely nice weather for a December day.

The ceremonies were opened by RCHC  Board Chairman Jeff VanDyke, followed by the invocation from Reverend Daryl Sherraden.  Rachel Roach, from Representative Jerry Moran's office, read a letter from the congressman to the crowd.  Bill Stahl, Chief Operating Officer of the hospital gave an overview of the new facility, and July Price, Chief Executive Officer of the hospital spoke, closing the ceremonies.

The groundbreaking marks progress begun in 2002 when a feasibility study was done to determine whether building a new hospital or renovating the current building would better serve the area in the future.  After it was determined building a new facility would be the route to go, the hospital board went to work looking for a site, and ultimately working with the City of Plainville on the present location.

In April of 2003, the City gave the land just north of town to the hospital and the board began working on an application for financing.  In July 2006, the board found a cost-effective option for funding with U.M.B. Bank of Kansas City, Missouri.  When the revenue bond notice was published, petitions were distributed to take the issue to a vote, which passed with a 4 to 1 margin, which was the same margin on the vote for the original hospital in 1953. The board began working with Cooper Medical as general contractor and Miller Architects on the project, as well as the City of Plainville for annexation and bringing water and sewer infrastructure to the new site. 

"I was overwhelmed by the day," said Kathy Ramsay, Communications Director for RCHC.  "The feeling you got standing on that land and realizing in two years a new hospital will be there, was overwhelming."   "Like our predecessors, we hold the future of health care in our hands.  Community involvement is needed more than ever before as we enter a new era of health care, as new demands are placed on the hospital's services and resources.  It's time to work together for the benefit for all residents of the county as well as coming generations."

Hospital board member Chuck Comeau agreed it was a great day.  "For the county, the community, and the board, it is an exciting step for all of us and the next generation," he said.  "I was happy with the turnout and it was exciting to see the excitement of the people there."

According to Stahl, dirt work for the facility could begin in late December or early January.  Completion is expected within 16-18 months.