Hospital Groundbreaking: The wait is finally over for Pinckneyville

Members of the Pinckneyville Community Hospital Board of Directors used ceremonial gold shovels to dig the first patch of dirt Monday on the northwest corner of the lot where the new facility will be built.

Hospital Administrator Tom Hudgins then invited the gathered hospital employees to take their turn with the shovels, adding that more significant dirt work should begin shortly on the site.

All were joined by Pinckneyville Mayor August Kellerman who took his turn with a ceremonial shovel.

The board is poised to approve $23 million in Secured Rural America bond series 2013a, 2013b and a short-term Secured Rural America bond series 2013c following a bond hearing at their regular meeting on Oct. 7. In September, The board unanimously approved three resolutions for a $9.5 million bond issue with USDA, $8.5 million bond issue with USDA and a $4.999 million loan from AgStar Financial Services.

The new facility is expected to be completed by Nov. 28, 2014. The construction manager informed the board in September that it there will be a tight schedule. It is important that the concrete roof gets poured in March. Deviating from the planned materials and timetable could add $400,000 to the cost of the project. The guaranteed maximum price of the project-- $24,995,865-- includes reserve and contingency funds for weather-related delays and other potential costs. The new facility will have 17 beds, compared to 25 beds in the current facility on Walnut Street.