Aspirus Plans for Chippewa Falls
Aspirus Closes on Land Purchase for New Chippewa Falls Hospital
Aspirus finalized the purchase of 22.1 acres of land in Chippewa Falls on Thursday, Feb. 27, and plans to break ground on a new hospital this spring. The project marks a significant step toward helping close health care gaps in the region.
The new hospital will be located on Chippewa Crossing Boulevard, directly across from Fire Station No. 1, near the intersection of Chippewa Crossing and Seymour Cray Sr. boulevards. Initial services will include primary care, emergency services, inpatient care, as well as basic lab and imaging capabilities.
“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.”
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. 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 the addition of 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.
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“In our rapidly changing world, we understand that we must advance new care models. Through thoughtful planning and collaboration, we look forward to meeting current local care needs and growing with the community for generations to come.”
– Matt Heywood, Aspirus Health President and CEO |
What Aspirus is looking to do in Chippewa Falls
- Aspirus intends to meet important and immediate community needs by building a new hospital in Chippewa Falls. Initially, the facility would provide primary, emergency and inpatient hospital care, as well as basic lab and imaging services.
- We will continue to work closely with officials from the City of Chippewa Falls in the planning and site selection to ensure we identify the right location and design the best care facility for the community needs.
- Aspirus is committed to working closely with the residents and City of Chippewa Falls, the State Legislature and the Governor’s Office as we progress plans.
- The Aspirus project team is working to achieve all necessary approvals. Once received, Aspirus could complete construction and begin serving the community in as little as 18 months.
What is the runway to opening the hospital in Chippewa Falls
- Aspirus has conducted research over multiple months and developed a plan for a facility design and services that could serve Chippewa Falls residents in the right ways and support sustainability in the long term.
- Aspirus has completed preliminary plans for a new facility that could be open to the public in as little as 18 months, pending necessary approvals.
- We are working with Wisconsin-based civil engineering firm REI and architectural firm HGA.
- We are in positive discussions with Chippewa Falls officials and have shared our plans with the City Council.
- We seeking necessary approvals and determining a site with the goal of closing on a property this winter.
We are local to Wisconsin
- Aspirus is headquartered in Wausau. We’re no stranger to serving the needs of Wisconsin residents and communities.
- Patients will also have access to the larger Aspirus Health network of physicians and specialists across Wisconsin and Minnesota.
- Aspirus has demonstrated expertise in providing health care in cities like Chippewa Falls.
- Driven by a team of 14,000 employees, 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.
Hospital Renderings
Renderings are preliminary and subject to change.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are you looking to do in Chippewa Falls?
Aspirus is looking to address the critical and immediate local care needs by building a facility providing primary care, emergency and hospital care, as well as basic lab and imaging services. Since the closure of HSHS hospitals, Aspirus expanded services and access at our Stanley and Medford locations to the east. We feel now is the time to further advance our mission to heal people, promote health and strengthen the Chippewa Falls community.
Are you building a new hospital?
Yes. In the past year, we have completed research and analysis of community needs. We have determined that a new service model will allow us to quickly fill vital care gaps and provide flexibility to expand to meet future needs.
Where will the new hospital be?
A team is currently working to identify a site in Chippewa Falls with the following characteristics
- Convenient access to Highway 29.
- A healing environment.
- Sufficient acreage to support future expansion.
What services will be available at the new hospital?
Emergency services, medical beds, lab and imaging diagnostic services, and a primary care clinic. Aspirus has been in ongoing communications with local officials and stakeholders to determine the most appropriate level of care for the Chippewa Falls community.
How will this hospital help the needs of the community?
Aspirus believes the best way to rapidly fill critical local care gaps is by building a progressive new facility offering primary, emergency and hospital care, as well as basic lab and imaging services.
What is the timing and next steps?
The Aspirus project team is working to achieve all necessary approvals. Once received, Aspirus could complete construction and begin serving the community in as little as 18 months.