Angola, Ind.- Cameron Memorial Community Hospital (Cameron) has received the final approval to begin construction of its new hospital facility.  The receipt of the “Notice to Proceed” from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Community Facilities program was the last hurdle clearing the path for construction of the new Cameron Hospital to begin at the 13+ acre site in downtown Angola.

“There have been many milestones along the way with the Cameron building project,” said Greg Burns, Cameron President and Chief Executive Officer, “but receiving the approval to start construction is the most rewarding.  The goal of all of our efforts has been the construction of a state-of-the-art healthcare facility to serve the region – the building will now start to rise.”

Hagerman, Inc. of Fort Wayne, construction manager for the project, has begun mobilizing for the start of construction, and will be setting up construction offices and installing construction fencing at the site over the next two weeks.  Earthwork and foundations for the new hospital will start the last week of January, weather permitting.

     Construction of the new hospital is scheduled to be completed in July, 2014 with occupancy planned for August, 2014.  The two oldest wings of the existing building will then be demolished, and the existing 1990’s wing renovated and added onto for an expanded Emergency Department.

Completion of the project is scheduled for September, 2015.

“We have an incredibly talented team that has guided the hospital project through a complex planning, financing, and approval process,” said Dave Goodwin, Hospital Board Chair.  “We now look forward to having the new hospital become a reality.”   

Planning for the new Cameron Hospital was under way for over four years.  A number of project milestones preceded the announcement of the USDA approval to start construction: 

December 2008—Under the Board Chairmanship of Gary Hohenberger, it was announced there would be a new Cameron Hospital, and that it would be located at the current location in downtown Angola and on adjoining land south of the hospital, to be acquired.  The economic climate at the time precluded setting a date for the building project.   

• May 2010—Under the Board leadership of Terry Vanette, the Project Building Team was introduced: 
  • Morrison Kattman Menze, Fort Wayne:  Architectural Firm;
  • Hagerman Construction, Fort Wayne:  Construction Manager;
  • Jim Ingledue Construction, Angola:  Lead Local Contractor; and
  • Chris Smocke and Associates, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Cameron’s Owner’s Agent.
  • December 2010—Cameron Hospital submitted its USDA financing application.
  • January 2011—Following completion of the building Design Development phase,  announcement of the hospital Board’s approval to proceed with the hospital project.
  • July 2012—$47 million financing commitment received from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Community Facilities program.
  • November 2012—Groundbreaking Ceremony for the new Cameron Memorial Community Hospital.
  • December 2012--$500,000 anonymous donation to the building project received by the Cameron Hospital Foundation in honor of Jane Snyder.