A ceremonial groundbreaking for the new Lakeview Medical Center hospital in Rice Lake was Monday, Aug. 17 with about 200 people turning out for the event. The hospital is adjacent to Marshfield Clinic at the southeastern corner of the intersection of Hwys. 48 and 53. Construction of the new $43 million, 130,000 square-foot facility began earlier, with work currently under way on the concrete footings. The building is expected to be completed in late 2010 or early 2011. Master of ceremonies Ned Wolf, president and chief executive officer of Lakeview, said the dream of a new hospital began in earnest in 2000 with the search for a new location for the old Marshfield Clinic and the existing hospital. Both were on the lakeshore and both had serious space limitations. Wolf told the gathering that designing the new hospital was complex, and that doctors and hospital staff were involved in the process to give the best possible patient care. Dr. Karl Ulrich, Marshfield clinic president and chief executive officer, told Wolf that construction of the new hospital was "a testimony to your vision." Ulrich noted the current discussion of health care, and said that Rice Lake "is at the vanguard, the forefront of the health care change." Also addressing the gathering was Rice Lake Mayor Dan Fitzgerald. "These are exciting times," said Fitzgerald. He noted the controversy in building the new hospital, but also said, "There is definitely a reputation of excellence that Lakeview Medical Center holds." Controversy over the new building involved a payment in lieu of taxes to the city, although the city and the hospital eventually reached an agreement in that matter. The Rev. Jerry Bernecker of the Rice Lake Ministerial Assn. said a prayer. Also speaking was Dr. Bradley Bekkum, medical director of the Northwest Division of Marshfield Clinic.