(Riverton, WY) – Riverton Medical District has selected a general contractor for its new hospital project, marking a significant milestone in the effort to bring expanded healthcare services to the community.
Cindy McDonald, a member of the Riverton Medical District Board, announced at Tuesday’s city council meeting that BHI has been chosen as the general contractor.
“As of yesterday, we officially have a general contractor,” McDonald said. “Our board has selected BHI and we’re proceeding quickly with them to get the work started to get to our budget and design goals.”
The selection of a contractor represents tangible progress for a project that has been years in the making. McDonald emphasized that while progress isn’t always visible, the board is “working hard every single day to make this happen.”
BHI, based in Vernal, Utah, brings hospital design experience and familiarity with Riverton’s situation due to their proximity to a LifePoint hospital, McDonald noted.
The new hospital is slated to include 13 patient rooms, including two ICU rooms and two labor and delivery recovery rooms. Plans also call for a 24/7 emergency department, surgery capabilities, and orthopedic services.
McDonald presented updated renderings of the hospital design to the council, highlighting features like a fireplace in the lobby and care team areas for staff.
Funding for the project comes primarily from a USDA community facility loan and ARPA grants from the state of Wyoming. However, McDonald said additional funding is still needed.
“Even with all that funding, we need millions of dollars more to build the hospital,” she said.
The city of Riverton has contributed significantly to the project through its economic development tax. Last year, the medical district received $36,958 from the city to help pay for consultants. This was in addition to $880,000 previously received for construction costs.
McDonald highlighted the potential economic impact of the hospital, citing projections of 140 new jobs and more than $25 million in yearly economic activity. An additional 90 jobs are expected to be created during construction.
While excited about the progress, McDonald acknowledged the project has taken longer than initially hoped.
“Building a hospital is a complicated process that is taking so much longer than any of us would like,” she said. “Rest assured that we are working hard every single day and we will not quit.”
She emphasized the critical nature of the project in improving healthcare access in Riverton and surrounding rural areas.
“Our board and so many people in this community who support us are passionate about making a change and refusing to accept limited access to healthcare,” McDonald said.
The timeline for groundbreaking remains uncertain. When asked by Mayor Tim Hancock if they would break ground tomorrow, McDonald laughed and replied, “Oh, I wish. Don’t we all wish.”
Hancock noted there has been some confusion in the community, with some residents mistaking construction at a nearby Tractor Supply store for the hospital project.
“A lot of people have asked me and said, hey, the hospital’s already breaking ground. And I’ve been like, that’s the Tractor Supply store,” Hancock said.
While an exact timeline wasn’t provided, the selection of a general contractor marks a concrete step forward for a project that promises to significantly impact healthcare delivery and economic development in Riverton.
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