KAIT-Jonesboro, AR-News, weather, sports, classifieds-Groundbreaking marks new beginning

Groundbreaking marks new beginning

By Brandi Hodges - bio | email

MOUNTAIN VIEW, AR (KAIT) - On February 5^Th, 2008 tornadoes tore across Region 8 damaging everything in their path, including the hospital in Mountain View.  For more than a year, the hospital and other vital services have been interrupted in the city. 

On Wednesday they took a big step, breaking ground on a new facility.

"It means a new beginning.  It means we can start again and we're going to have a wonderful facility.  It's so exciting," said Arliss Blackledge.

For residents here who have endured over a year with only part of the medical services they had before, this day is one they've waited for.

"We've had some struggles with space especially having our hospital size constricted down to ten beds," said Dr. Ron Simpson.

Dr. Ron Simpson has seen the struggles first hand.

"It's been an adjustment and an added burden.  I think everything from some x-ray procedures to mammograms people are traveling out of the county to obtain those needed functions," said Simpson.

He said with fifteen fewer beds, they have to send patients to other hospitals far from Stone County.

"They've had to overcome a lot and put in a lot of extra hours.  The people have been so appreciative," said Blackledge.

The groundbreaking is only a first step, by July of this year the building next door is going to be open, and by September temporary beds will be ready to use.

"We would be happy to have what we had before but this is going to be so much better.  It is a state of the art," said Blackledge.

People from the hospital and community are celebrating this accomplishment and are excited to see this next phase finished.

"It's a new chapter in healthcare for this community," said Renie Taylor.

"We're moving ahead.  It's not the end it's a beginning,' said Blackledge.

Schedule of Completion:

Temporary Patient Rooms:  September 2009
Steel Structure Work Begins:  November 2009
Topping Out Ceremony:  February 2010
Interior Finish Work Begins:  May 2010
Second Floor Patient Rooms Complete: August 2010
Equipment Installation:  February 28, 2011
Grand Opening: May 11, 2011

©2009 KAIT

 All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.