Plans to replace the Van Horn Rural Health Clinic became a reality February 5, when the Culberson County Hospital District (CCHD) Board signed a construction contract with Ameriway Construction Company.
The contract covers the complete renovation of the south wing of the original hospital building to accommodate a new, larger clinic that will include: a comfortable waiting area for patients and family, 10 exam rooms, a laboratory, an audiology testing room and staff support space.
“We are excited to begin this project,” said Edwin Easley, president of the CCHD Board. “The board has worked closely with the architects and clinic providers to design a space that will meet the needs of our community for many years to come,” he continued.
The CCHD Board began looking at the need for a new clinic about two years ago and originally planned to construct a new freestanding building. “We discovered that the cost of new construction greatly exceeded budget estimates and just did not make sense for our taxpayers, so we went back to the drawing board,” noted Easley.
The Van Horn Rural Health Clinic is currently housed in a 3,600 square foot modular building erected in 2005. “The building is well past its 10-year expected life and is inadequately sized to meet the needs of our patients and the five providers who staff the clinic,” said Jonathon Voelkel, hospital administrator. The new clinic will be about twice the size of the existing clinic.
Ameriway was selected as contractor for the project by the CCHD after a competitive bidding process. “It is an honor to have been awarded this contract.” said Jerry Reiner, President of Ameriway. “I know how important this hospital and clinic are to the community, and look forward to building something that will make everyone proud.”
The project is scheduled to begin in a few weeks with demolition of the existing space. Based on the current construction schedule, the new clinic space should be ready in December 2016.
The project was designed by Rees Associates, an architectural firm with offices in Dallas and Oklahoma City. Rees was also responsible for the new addition to the hospital and the renovation of the north wing.
