Northwest Georgia is one step closer to its new hospital after local elected and hospital officials celebrated the groundbreaking of the CHI Memorial Hospital Georgia in Ringgold on Friday.
The new 64 in-patient bed hospital is scheduled to open in December 2025, replacing the 70-year-old Hutcheson Medical Center in Fort Oglethorpe. The new hospital will connect to the current CHI Memorial Parkway building and anchor its medical campus on Battlefield Parkway.
Janelle Reilly, president and chief executive officer of CHI Memorial Health System, called the new hospital a testament to years of collaboration.
"This groundbreaking not only initiates a new era in health care but also symbolizes the growth and advancement of all of North Georgia," she said at the groundbreaking Friday.
Along with the in-patient beds, the new hospital will have an intensive care unit, 24-bed full-service emergency department, five operating rooms, two endoscopy suites, comprehensive imaging services, non-invasive cardiac imaging and laboratory, CHI spokesperson Karen Long said in a news release.
(READ MORE: Parkridge ends appeal of new CHI Memorial Georgia hospital)
New technology included in the hospital's design includes artificial intelligence, automation and virtual care technology helping physicians and providers provide a modern health care experience, officials said.
In October, hospital officials estimated the hospital would cost about $110 million, funded by $40 million from local government bond revenue and $65 million from CHI Memorial's parent company, CommonSpirit Health.
(READ MORE: CHI Memorial Georgia launches fundraising effort for new Ringgold hospital)
In a text message, Long said the project's cost has risen to about $126 million due to inflation. Beyond the cost overrun, she said there have been no major changes to the project.
Long said she wasn't able to find out before deadline who would pay for the cost overrun.
Also in October, hospital officials announced the Care Closer to Home campaign, a community fundraising effort with the goal of $5 million by June.
Long said Monday nearly $4.3 million has been raised so far in the campaign.
Contact Andrew Wilkins at awilkins@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6659.