RUMFORD – The third and final phase of a building project at Rumford Hospital kicked off Monday afternoon with a groundbreaking by officials, board members and contractors.

“This is the most significant phase,” said John Welsh, chief executive officer of Rumford Hospital. “This is a major milestone in the rebuilding of the hospital.”

Nearly 16,000 square feet will be added and 30,000 square feet will be renovated at a cost of about $5.8 million.

When completed, the hospital and its affiliate, Central Maine Health Care, will have invested a little more than $10 million in the hospital.

The newest project will include construction of 25 single-patient rooms with bathrooms and showers and consolidation of three nursing units on two floors to one.

“It’s been a long time in coming,” said Welsh. “This community will have a state-of-the-art facility.”

Department of Health and Human Services Commissioner Brenda Harvey, who granted the certificate of need for the new project, said she and her family had personal experience with the hospital when one of them went there from a family camp in Byron.

Central Maine Health Care board President Paul Dionne gave similar testimony.

“I have historic ties to Rumford Hospital. I played baseball at Hosmer Field when I was at Lewiston High School and I broke my leg when I tried to steal second base,” he said. The care was good, and the only thing wrong was Rumford High School “kicked our butts” in that game.

The addition of all private rooms will provide more privacy for patients and their doctors and visitors, and safeguards against the spread of infections.

Phase I of the project, completed about five years ago at a cost of $2 million, provided upgrades in the hospital’s infrastructure. Phase II, completed in 2005 at a cost of $2.4 million, constructed a new entrance, emergency room and outpatient clinic.

Although the third phase is the final in the hospital’s master plan, Welsh said health care is always evolving and the hospital will always aim to meet technological changes.

The project is expected to be completed in 12 to 14 months.