Clifton-Fine Hospital Begins $2.5 M Project

By MARTHA ELLEN

Johnson News Service

STAR LAKE - Clifton-Fine Hospital will begin construction the week of April 12, weather permitting, on a $2.5 million addition to replace its clinic building that burned in 2008 and to improve layout.

The hospital had wanted to build last year, but bids came in over budget by several hundred thousand dollars. Officials reworked the project, cutting back on parking and changing some materials.

This time, prices from contractors fell in line with estimates.

"The bids came in just slightly under what we budgeted last fall," Administrator Robert P. Kimmes said.

With a little financial breathing room, the hospital decided also to include a drop-off zone roof canopy that protects patients from weather as they exit a vehicle at the hospital's entrance.

The addition will add 6,000 square feet to the hospital. The former clinic was 3,500 square feet.

The construction will include a waiting area, a new entrance and a central registration area, and an elevator to the second floor.

Patients will enter the hospital into a central lobby area where they will register for either the hospital or the clinic.

"The reason we're doing that is for patient convenience," Mr. Kimmes said. "If someone needs to have lab work done, they won't have to go back outside."

Mr. Kimmes estimated the construction will take seven and a half months to complete.

Financing for the project has been secured, and the hospital is beginning a fundraising campaign to help with the debt.

The clinic building that burned was demolished.

"It's just going to be a grassy area," Mr. Kimmes said.