This article originally appeared on CLJ News.
Blountstown, FL – With all funding secured and contracts in place, construction of a new Calhoun Liberty Hospital officially began Tuesday, Dec. 19 under the direction of Hoar Construction of Orlando, Fla.
Hoar was founded in 1940 and launched its healthcare sector in 1991 in addition to existing civic and government, multi-family residential, entertainment, education, hospitality, and manufacturing markets. Hoar constructed Bay Medical Center in Panama City, Fla., as well as other large-scale projects such as the UAB Women and Infant Center in Birmingham, Mississippi Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Center, Baptist Memorial Hospital in Jonesboro, Ark., and many other healthcare facilities across the southeast.
“Our wealth of experience with long-term healthcare clients includes innovative approaches to help plan for the future needs of facilities,” said Matt Valentine, project executive with Hoar Construction. “Turning over a high-quality healthcare facility for Blountstown and surrounding communities is our top priority.”
The 50,000-square-foot facility will be on a 15-acre parcel just minutes from the current location, off State Road 71 south of Highway 20 in Blountstown. The first phase of design and construction will develop a state-of-the-art emergency room, eight private inpatient rooms, three flexible clinical decision rooms and rehabilitative services, including physical and occupational therapy, along with cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation. Efforts to secure funding for phase two, which would be for additional inpatient rooms and outpatient services, are under way.
“The beginning of construction of our new Calhoun Liberty Hospital has been a long time coming,” said CLH CEO Chris Jepsen. “We are so proud of the perseverance of our amazing team and appreciate the partnership with Hoar Construction as we work together to make this dream a reality.”
The current project timeline estimates completion of the facility by early 2025 with equipment move-in and inspections final by summer of 2025.
