Douglas County approves hospital ownership transfer

ARMOUR — Douglas County Memorial Hospital in Armour can now proceed with a $3 million to $5 million addition and renovation project.

Douglas County commissioners granted approval Tuesday to transfer ownership of the hospital’s original portion built in 1957 to the hospital’s nonprofit corporation.

Board Vice Chairman Ewald Fink, of rural Delmont, said commissioners recognized that any building erected in 1957 needs an upgrade. The lack of public opposition also was a factor in the decision.

“Anytime a corporation or entity wants to add that kind of money into a building, it’s to the benefit of all taxpayers,” he said. “To me, it’s just a good thing. They have a big payroll.”

Commissioners proceeded with the transfer after receiving no opposition from county residents who attended a public meeting about the issue Nov. 30.

Hospital Administrator Heath Brouwer first approached the commission on Nov. 4 about the proposal, sharing such problems as one community shower for patients and small rooms with insufficient numbers of outlets, blown breakers and window air-conditioning units.

State’s Attorney Craig Parkhurst said Thursday he prepared a deed to transfer ownership with a reversion clause that stipulates that if the land on the original portion stopped being used for the public good, it would revert back to the county.

Fink said that clause gave commissioners reassurance to proceed with the transfer, adding that was the only way they would have approved it.

Brouwer said hospital officials are pleased with the outcome. All that is left is for him to sign the resolution.

“We look forward to continuing the process of finalizing our plans for the future development of our hospital,” he said.

Until commissioners granted the transfer, the hospital did not spend a lot of money on a design, Brouwer said.

This fall, the hospital hired Wipfli, a space planning firm in Minneapolis with experience on hospital projects, and Horty Elving and Associates, a Minneapolis architect firm, to create plans for the project, Brouwer said.

“It’s another check and balance, another set of eyes that allows us to have a different set of opinions instead of just looking at the architect,” he said of Wipfli. “They look at healthcare facilities and try to maximize work flow and space.”

A facility master plan was devised, and now a schematic design that includes different departments, square footage and costs will be created, Brouwer said.

“Staff will have a lot more input on how work flow will go, where patient rooms are in relation to the nurses’ station, where the ER and where supplies are located,” he said.

After hospital department heads meet Wednesday to see the first three-dimensional design, the hospital board will view it at its Dec. 22 meeting and discuss staff input, Brouwer said.

He hopes a design and cost estimate will be finished by February, along with bid documents. He anticipates bids will be opened in March or April, with construction starting soon afterward.

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