(Madison, Wisconsin) - August 16, 2001 - Construction of a new 30,000 square foot healthcare clinic in Plover, Wisconsin, designed by architects Flad & Associates, is nearly complete. Occupancy is planned for September.

The new Plover Clinic is the centerpiece of a ten-acre suburban site newly master planned for owner Saint Michael?s Hospital of Stevens Point, Wisconsin. Medical care will be provided by physicians from Rice Medical Center of Stevens Point. Both Rice Medical Center and Saint Michael?s are members of Ministry Health Care. This is the first construction on the site and is being delivered as design/build.

Within the 30,000 square foot facility are 23 exam rooms, two procedure rooms, full radiography and mammography facilities, physical therapy, and meeting rooms for community education programs. A laboratory will serve a 12-physician family practice.

The three-phase master plan, also completed by Flad & Associates, allows for 70,000 square feet of future building development on the site. The master plan includes parking for 600 cars.

This new campus was the brainchild of Saint Michael?s Hospital, who saw a growing need for primary healthcare for the residents of this rapidly growing central Wisconsin community 50 miles south of Wausau. According to Allen K. Pennebecker, vice president of Saint Michael's Hospital, ?Our goals for this project were to improve the quality and accessibility of our medical facility in this area; to develop a site/facility that allows for expansion and growth; to improve the overall efficiency of providing medical service in this area; and to provide physical therapy services in this area.?

Other team members include Ring & DuChateau (mechanical/electrical/piping engineering); Flad Structural Engineers (structural engineering); Rettler Corporation (site and landscape) and Ellis Stone Construction (general contractor).

Construction began in January, 2001. Estimated project cost is $3.2 million.

For more information, please contact: Laura Stillman at (608) 238-2661