Groundbreaking Slated for $64.8M Replacement Hospital to Serve Southwest Wisconsin

Construction will begin soon on Memorial Hospital of Lafayette County, a new $64.8-million replacement hospital and clinic building located on a 36-acre site in Darlington, Wisconsin. The project team includes Kraus-Anderson and Eppstein Uhen Architects.

A groundbreaking ceremony will be held at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, July 15. Keynote speakers will include Sen. Tammy Baldwin, Sen. Howard Marklein and Rep. Todd Novak. The public is welcome to attend.

As a critical access hospital, the current facility has served the greater community and provided a full range of acute care inpatient and outpatient services since 1952.

The new 80,000-square-foot hospital will feature an emergency department, diagnostic imaging, surgical services with two operating rooms, a procedure room, medical and surgical unit, pharmacy, rehabilitation and a vision clinic with a retail eye shop.  The hospital will also include space for behavioral health and mindfulness sessions. In addition, the project entails a 3,600-square-foot standalone building that includes two residency units and a garage for maintenance storage.

Kathy Kuepers, CEO of Memorial Hospital of Lafayette County, added: “We shape our buildings and afterwards our buildings shape us.  We have been working towards our reinvention for the last four years and are very excited for the future of healthcare in Lafayette County. Like a kaleidoscope the same beautiful pieces were maintained as we are morphed into this beautiful new vision for our healthcare campus.”

In 2022, MHLC completed the financing to build a new facility. The funds include a $30.8-million revenue bond and $15-million general obligation bond in direct loans from the USDA, and a $5-million guaranteed loan, all of which will be paid for by the proceeds of the hospital. In addition, MHLC was awarded $14 million in additional grant funds.

Construction on the new hospital is expected to be completed in fall of 2024. The current facility will be in operation during construction.