Baldwin Area Medical Center: Groundbreaking ceremony planned for new health and wellness campus in Baldwin

Amanda Gustafson
715-684-8689
Amanda.gustafson@healthybaldwin.org

Baldwin Area Medical Center (BAMC) is pleased to announce that a Groundbreaking Ceremony for the new Health and Wellness Campus is planned for Tuesday, October 21, 2014 at 10:00 am. The ceremony will be held on the NW corner of I-94 and Highway 63, just behind the A&W and Freedom gas station where the new, replacement health and wellness facility will be built. Everyone is welcome to attend this ceremony.

Initial plans for the development of the 95 acre site include a 100,000 square foot replacement health and wellness facility. The new facility will be located directly west of the A&W. The new health and wellness campus will be named Western Wisconsin Health. This name change will not only position us as a regional healthcare leader, but will also allow us to impact all aspects of health and wellness in the communities we serve. The total budget for the initial project is $37.5 million. Funding sources include a combination of USDA Direct Loan financing and Tax-Exempt Bank Placement loans. Kahler-Slater, an architectural firm, and Boldt Construction, a construction management firm, have been hired to design and build the new facility. Construction will begin later this month and is expected to be completed before the fall of 2016.

Currently, the plans for the new facility include a clinic, emergency services, surgical services, premier birth center, inpatient hospital, state-of-the-art diagnostic capabilities, and an educational atrium. Services such as primary care, surgical and orthopedics, infusion services, obstetrics, emergency and inpatient care will still be available. We will also add services that focus on integrative health and prevention of illness. The long-range plan for the 95 acre health and wellness campus is to establish a community hub for health and wellness services of all types including: daycare, retirement housing, senior care, retail services, and other community resources that support healthy living. “We want this campus to be a model of sustainability. We will deliver services that go beyond addressing acute medical needs, services that help people develop and maintain a healthy lifestyle. We will do this in a facility that demonstrates ecological sustainability,” says Alison Page, CEO.

The new facility is being designed to become a LEED Certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) facility. The LEED certification signifies that the new structure meets and exceeds established “green building” criteria. Building green ensures that BAMC will take the measures required to conserve natural resources, use recyclable materials, and protect air and water quality. The new facility will use geothermal technology to heat and cool the facility and, eventually, solar energy to provide electricity. In addition, storm water will be retained onsite and filtered naturally with native vegetation. Healing gardens and walking paths will eventually be available on the campus.

In order to be able to offer all of the extra amenities, such as a fitness center with a therapeutic warm water pool and the ambulance garage, BAMC will need to raise $4 Million dollars in private funds in addition to the USDA loan and financing. Baldwin Area Medical Center is launching a capital campaign in community called “Wellness is our future! Sign On.” The first step in launching this campaign to the community was the 100 Women Initiative.  This initiative gathered 100 women who each made a pledge of $1,000, payable over 5 years getting to a goal of $100,000.  The 100 Women Initiative is putting this money toward the therapeutic pool at the new facility. In addition to this initiative, BAMC employees have started making gifts. Some lead gifts are helping to give the campaign some good momentum and support. As a result, nearly $300,000 has been pledged to date.

Parking for the groundbreaking is available at A &W and Freedom Gas Station. Overflow parking is also available at The Orchard Restaurant. For more information or for questions regarding the groundbreaking ceremony, please contact Amanda Gustafson, Director of Marketing, at 715-684-8689 or via e-mail at amanda.gustafson@healthybaldwin.org.