The estimated cost of the project is about $2 million.

RUMFORD – Extensive renovations at Rumford Hospital are a signal to the community that this facility is here to stay.

Rep. Michael Michaud, D-Maine, was on hand Saturday to announce the availability of $100,000 in federal money to start the multi-million dollar project.

The funds come from a federal omnibus appropriations bill.

“Community support goes a long way. We’re looking to increase funding through earmarked grants in Congress,” Michaud told the 50 or so people who attended the afternoon announcement.

The estimated $2 million project will move the hospital’s main entrance from the original, pillared part to a location that will be handicapped accessible over the current emergency room, new patient registration, separate walk-in and ambulance entrances for the emergency room, and accessible bathrooms on both levels.

Also planned are enlarged and more private day surgery areas, increased parking near the new main entrance, and expanded emergency room and waiting room areas, and more centralized information for patients and visitors.

John Welsh, the hospital’s chief executive officer, said Michaud has been fighting for rural hospital funding for some time. “We appreciate his efforts in getting the project started,” he said.

“This project will tell the community that this hospital is here to stay,” added Welsh.

He said the remaining money will come from a loan which will be paid with hospital funds.

Some early renovation infrastructure projects are in the works, such as installation of a new generator and chimneys. By mid-summer, Welsh said work will begin on construction of the new main entrance, the revamped emergency room, and Americans with Disabilities access. The entire project, considered Phase I of a multi-year plan, is expected to take about 18 months.

The architect is Freeman, French and Freeman of Vermont. The general contractor is the Portland firm of Ledgewood Construction.

According to Jane Aube, director of nursing, more than 10,000 people a year use the hospital’s emergency room facilities. With the planned renovation of the emergency room, more space will be available for families and more privacy for patients.

In addition, the nursing station will be closer and more accessible to patients, adding efficiency to medical services.

“We’ve had the plans for five years. This money will help,” Aube said.

Jolan Ippolito, chairwoman of the hospital’s board of directors, said sometimes people judge services by the age of a facility.

“We want to put a face on the hospital equal to the modern health care we provide,” she said.

The long-term plan includes building an addition that will provide all private patient care rooms, then renting out the older section to medically-related offices and organizations, said Welsh.

“This is a very special day for us,” said Welsh. For 15 years we’ve been trying to get a renovation project going. There’s a lot of interest in this building.”

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