ELKINS — Valley Health Care marked the beginning of a significant expansion project at its Elkins facility with a groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday morning.
“We’re excited for the expansion,” said Jordan Godwin, CEO of Valley Health Care. “This will be 8,000 square feet of clinical space. We’ll have over 20,000 square feet of total medical space on our campus when the project is completed.”
Godwin emphasized the collective effort involved in the project. “A lot of folks have contributed to make this happen for the community. We can’t wait to open it up and let our patients see the outcome.”
Jonathan Kyle, chairman of the VHC board, also expressed his gratitude. “I want to thank our organization and our staff. They’ve put a lot of work into planning this, with many meetings. We’re excited to share this with the community. We have more exciting things coming in Mill Creek and other areas where we have facilities. Stay tuned.”
Ryan Hess, a principal at Mills Group, added, “We sincerely thank Jordan and everyone at Valley Health Care for the opportunity to be the design professionals for this project. We have a great team here. There’s a lot to do before we finish, but we are very confident. It’s a great day for everyone.”
Chase Jarrett, a project manager at Jarrett Construction of Charleston, also spoke at the event. “I want to thank Jordan, the Valley Health Care team, and Mills Group for giving us the opportunity to work on this project. We believe it’s going to be fantastic for the community. The addition of a second floor will be a great benefit.”
Jarrett noted that work on the project began earlier this week. “We mobilized on Monday, identified current site utilities, and started minor demolition. We’ve also begun some framing upstairs. We’re ready to hit the ground running and do a fantastic job for our clients.”
The expansion will include the installation of an elevator and a complete remodel of the front office area. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2024 or early 2025.
According to a Valley Health Care press release, the expansion will help accommodate a growing patient population and offer a wider range of services, including primary care, walk-in appointments, and behavioral health services. The remodeled front office will streamline administrative processes and improve the overall patient experience.
“The addition of an elevator will ensure all patients, including those with mobility challenges, can easily access the second-floor clinical space without barriers,” the release stated. “VHC will take all necessary precautions during construction to minimize disruptions to patient care and ensure a smooth transition to the enhanced facilities.”
