Latest news with #Aspirus
Yahoo
01-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Aspirus completes purchase of land for new CF hospital
CHIPPEWA FALLS — Aspirus Health has completed the purchase of 22.1 acres in the southeast corner of Chippewa Falls and it plans to break ground on a new hospital this spring. 'This project aligns with our mission to provide much-needed health care services to the community,' said Sid Sczygelski, senior vice president of special projects for Aspirus Health. 'We believe our experience in rural and small-city health care will enable us to serve the people of Chippewa Falls and the surrounding area with excellence and compassion.' Aspirus finalized the purchase Thursday. The hospital site is on the north side of Chippewa Crossing Boulevard, across from the city's fire station. Phase one of the hospital is expected to be approximately 27,000 square feet and will feature an emergency department with 10 treatment rooms and 10 inpatient beds, a press release states. The hospital will also house an on-site clinic with 10 treatment rooms, imaging services (X-ray and CT), laboratory services and dietary offerings. Plans include a helipad to support emergency transport needs. Construction will begin with site preparation, including the addition of new roads to improve access to the hospital campus. Aspirus has partnered with Wisconsin-based firms REI for civil engineering and HGA for architectural planning. Aspirus anticipates completing the facility and welcoming patients as quickly as 18 months or less. 'We are committed to meeting the health care needs of Chippewa Falls residents and providing essential services now and in the future,' Sczygelski said. Estimated employment is 38 full-time workers along with 17 part-time employees. With a team of 14,000 employees, Wausau-based Aspirus operates 18 hospitals and more than 130 outpatient locations across northern and central Wisconsin, as well as northeastern Minnesota and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, a press release states.
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
CF Council to give final approval to new hospital plans
CHIPPEWA FALLS — The Chippewa Falls City Council is set to give final approval tonight to allow Aspirus Health to construct a new hospital in the southeast corner of the city. 'We have the one last step left, the purchase agreement,' Chippewa Falls Mayor Greg Hoffman said Monday. 'But the legwork is all done, and we're positioned where we should be able to wrap everything up (today).' Last week, the city's Plan Commission unanimously approved the conditional use permit for the hospital, and the Council will meet tonight in closed session on the developer's agreement. The hospital will be constructed on a 22.1-acre parcel located on the north side of Chippewa Crossing Boulevard, across from the city's fire station. Hoffman said it has been a whirlwind year, since HSHS St. Joseph's Hospital announced in January 2024 that it would close in March. 'From where we were a year ago, to where we are today — it was such a devastating thing to the community,' Hoffman said. 'And now, we'll be able to provide health care again to the community. It really is a good feeling. Everyone has worked very hard to make this come together.' Hoffman said Aspirus has been 'outstanding' to work with, and he's excited to have them come here. 'It's hard to put into words, to go from being despondent to having this all come together,' he said. Aspirus Health previously announced that the hospital will include both emergency care and clinic-based primary care services. Estimated employment is 38 full-time workers along with 17 part-time employees and the building would feature 12 hospital beds, 18 total exam rooms and two procedure rooms, along with X-ray, CT and US imaging centers, and a lab area. According to Aspirus' website, the construction period could take 18 months, and they hope to break ground this spring. With a team of 14,000 employees, Wausau-based Aspirus operates 18 hospitals and more than 130 outpatient locations across northern and central Wisconsin, as well as northeastern Minnesota and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, a press release states. Battery plant moves forward The Plan Commission last week also approved the conditional use permit for KYMA Batteries to open their production facility in the former EOG Resources sand processing plant. The City Council will review and approve the Plan Commission minutes tonight. 'That has been approved and they are up and going,' Hoffman said. 'I think it's good; it's another nice addition. It's all about (economic) diversity. I'm looking forward to seeing the city work with them.' KYMA Battery officials rejected the city in 2023, only to return in fall 2024 with a new plan — instead of refurbishing old and damaged batteries, the plan now is to build new batteries on the 88-acre site. The conditional use permit approved in Chippewa Falls stated the fire department must inspect the facility at least twice a year, and that if there is an environmental issue at the facility, the company is solely responsible for the cleanup efforts. Also, all batteries and components must be stored in an area that has a fire detection system and a fire suppression system. The City Council meets at 6:30 p.m. today at Chippewa Falls City Hall, 30 W. Central St.
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Scholz gives 'state of the county' address at his final board meeting
CHIPPEWA FALLS — Chippewa County Administrator Randy Scholz thanked the board Tuesday for his support and their collaborative efforts during his seven-year tenure leading the county. Scholz gave a 'state of the county' address in his final county board meeting before retiring next month. The three finalists to replace him will be interviewed next week. '(My future replacement will be) coming into a very dynamic and well-run county,' Scholz said. 'I'm proud to report that Chippewa County is in a strong fiscal position. There are some counties that are using short-term borrowing or general revenue funds.' Scholz, 56, praised the economic growth in the county. Among the items he's worked on in recent years is trying to create a new industrial park, and he said that work will continue with the next administrator. 'I'm just thankful for my team, and I'll miss the debates we had,' Scholz said. 'And the employees are the backbone of our success. Nothing happens without our employees.' One of the challenges Scholz said he faced was rising costs due to drug abuse and how that impacted the budget. Meth 'really hit Chippewa County hard,' and it led to a lot of out-of-home placements, he said. 'We blew through a million-dollar fund balance in about three years,' Scholz said. 'We sat down and talked about where the funding had to go.' However, out-of-home placements dropped drastically last year, and the county will show a surplus, he said. 'We also had the (HSHS St. Joseph's) hospital go away, and that was a big hit,' he said. 'But we've gotten good news about the Aspirus coming in, and the community hospital. This community has come together and run with it.' He said it has been a great honor to be administrator 'and the future here is bright.' The board gave him an ovation upon completing his statement. Scholz will retire March 7. However, he has taken a job as city manager in Ishpeming, Mich. He told the Leader-Telegram recently that he has family in that region and purchased land there. Scholz became county administrator in February 2018, replacing Frank Pascarella. Scholz is now the longest-serving county administrator in the county's history. Prior to being hired here, he served as Lincoln County administrative coordinator. He attended Mount Senario College, and he earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from UW-Eau Claire. Highway T funding approved The county board voted 14-6 Tuesday to approve its share of the Highway T expansion project, which will begin in Chippewa County, with work continuing south, essentially from Highway 29 to Clairemont Avenue. The entire project is estimated to cost about $17 million, with the county's share at $2.29 million. Eau Claire and the town of Wheaton also are paying for an equal share. Construction could begin in 2027 or 2028. Voting against the measure were supervisors Pamela Guthman, Duane Shoebridge, Joel Seidlitz, Joseph Roshell, David Kelly and Rocky Kempe. Former county board member Ken Schmitt spoke against the Highway T project before the vote. 'I don't see why the county board should facilitate annexation of the town of Wheaton into Eau Claire,' Schmitt told the board. Schmitt notes that his family often travels that corridor. 'There were no hold-ups. There are no complaints that there are backups, or traffic doesn't move,' Schmitt said. 'I just don't understand why we should do this at this time.'
