The Ekalaka Eagle - Your Community Builder

Over the last few weeks a great deal of visible progress has been made on the new hospital facility. Warmer weather has helped keep construction crews busy, especially with concrete work. Much of the steal framing of the building is now complete.

Picture of progress on new hospital facility taken from northeast on March 17

Dahl Memorial CEO Ryan Tooke said on Wednesday morning that they have all of the materials they need to complete the project so it won't be slowed or affected by any manufacturing delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The central portion of the building is two stories. The upstairs portion of the building will house offices and a space for physical therapy. The downstairs will include the clinic, pharmacy, kitchen, support offices such as the billing office and more.

A western portion of the building that has yet to be framed will include the lab, ER, radiology and space to house ambulances.

Tooke also said that there have been no major "hiccups" with the project to date and that Dahl employees are very much looking forward to the new lab equipment, made possible through grant funds, that will capable of producing same day results at the facility.

Tooke is hopeful that the hospital will be moved in to the new facility by this time next year.