The Wabash General Hospital Board of Directors has approved funding for the final design phase of its planned hospital expansion.
At its June meeting, the board unanimously authorized $3.25 million for architectural and engineering services by Farnsworth to complete the project’s final design.
Planning Committee Chairman John Evans said the design costs are in line with industry standards and represent just over six percent of the estimated project cost.
Hospital officials said the expansion remains on track at an estimated $55 million. Although a recent construction estimate totaled about $57 million, Vice President of Project Management and Infrastructure Nate Stevenson said that figure includes contingency funding and the project is still expected to stay within budget.
The board also received updates on plans for a new ambulance building, which is proposed west of the Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine building, and discussed a potential solar energy project for three hospital facilities. No action was taken on either project.