Calling it a “big moment”, a significant expansion project at Wabash General Hospital got the go ahead yesterday afternoon from the WGH Board of Directors.

During a special board meeting. WGH CEO Karissa Turner laid the groundwork for the project telling the board preliminary work began in Fall of 2017 leading up to last December’s announcement of the work that will include constructing a 32,000 square foot, two-story medical office building along 13th Street next to the hospital.

Originally, plans called for construction to begin June 1st, but the pandemic put those plans on hold indefinitely. Now after the board’s blessing yesterday, Turner said construction is set to begin next January, weather permitting, and take approximately a year to complete.

In addition to the medical office building, plans call for a 3,000 square foot addition to the orthopedic and rehab facility on College Drive along with an overhaul of the dietary and board meeting room in the main hospital.

After approving the construction plan, the board okayed the financing model to pay for the $14.8 million project. Adding in landscaping, equipment, and furnishings, the price tag goes up to a maximum of $15.24 million.