WILLMAR -- For Lorry Massa, a dedication ceremony Thursday to mark the completion of four years and $52 million worth of construction and renovation at Rice Memorial Hospital was almost anticlimactic.
"For all intents and purposes, we've arrived ... It's very gratifying to see it come to this conclusion," said Massa, CEO of the city-owned hospital.
His words were spoken to about 200 local dignitaries, city officials, elected officials, current and former hospital board members, medical staff and hospital employees who attended the late-afternoon ceremony.
Fittingly, the event took place in the hospital's new two-story garden court, one of the showpieces of a new building that's designed to promote healing and patient-centered care.
The project was one of the most massive public projects in city history. It took four years to plan and another four years to build. Over the course of construction and renovation, virtually every department in the hospital was affected.
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Thursday's ceremony was an occasion to reflect on the results.
"What a beautiful facility you've put together here," marveled U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson.
Peterson, one of seven guest speakers lined up for the half-hour program, called the new hospital "an anchor for this whole part of the state."
"I'm very proud of all of you and glad to be with you today," he said.
Willmar Mayor Les Heitke had similar words.
"This is something that we can be proud of," he said.
Situated in a region with one of Minnesota's fastest growing rates of job creation and retention, Rice Memorial Hospital is an important economic force, said Minnesota Sen. Dean Johnson.
"Here's the mecca, right here," he said.
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Johnson also reminded the audience of the hospital's mission to bring recovery and healing to those who enter its doors.
"Most leave this hospital healthier than when they came. That in itself is a success story," he said.
Rep. Al Juhnke, DFL-Willmar, invoked Rice Hospital's history and how it was established in 1937 with a bequest from one of Willmar's early leading families -- Albert and Sophia Rice and their son, Cushman.
City officials had to make a critical decision 70 years ago: whether to accept or to reject the Rices' financial legacy, Juhnke said.
"The city of Willmar made a wise decision back then and it has continued," he said. "We want to be sure we're thinking about the future because it is our hospital."
Speakers gave several rounds of thank-you's to the hundreds of people who were involved in the project, from architects and consultants to hospital staff, volunteers and construction workers.
Thanks also were extended to the community for its support.
The hospital's new image is "an example of this community's commitment to care for one another," said Matt Anderson, vice president of the Minnesota Hospital Association.
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"This is truly an exciting and rewarding day," Massa said. "We believe this facility positions us well to provide excellent patient care well into the future."
