Remsen Clinic ready to give local boost to health

Remsen residents and visitors will get their first peek at the new Remsen Medical Clinic soon.

The nearly-finished building was going to be open for public viewing during the town's Olde Fashioned Christmas celebration Monday, which was postponed due to weather.

Officials say it will only be about nine days before the new clinic starts taking patients.

"Construction is not quite done, but it's close," said Floyd Valley Hospital's Daryl Friedenbach, who is coordinating the project. "We expect by the end of the week it will be finished."

Floyd Valley Hospital (FVH) owns the current Remsen clinic, which is approximately 1,600 square feet, and rents it to Medical Associates.

The new clinic, nearly double the size, will offer local radiology services for the first time and more accessibility. This facility, located west of the Remsen post office will be owned by FVH rented to Medical Associates like the current situation.

"With no surprises or bad weather, we're schedule to move the equipment from the old clinic to the new clinic on Dec. 16 and 17, and then reopen at the new clinic on Dec. 18," Friedenbach said.

The current clinic will be open as scheduled the morning of Dec. 16.

Plans started about four years ago for the $849,000 new Remsen clinic, which will replace the smaller and less accessible clinic in the town of about 1,735 people.

The Remsen community and supporters from the region contributed money to complete the project.

The City of Remsen and Remsen utilities each donated $50,000 and Plymouth County offered $25,000 in Local Option Sales Tax revenue.

About $95,000 came through a federal grant from the Department of Health and Human Services to buy radiology equipment

North West Rural Electric Cooperative is providing a $360,000, six-year, zero-percent interest rate loan.

Remaining costs will come from FVH reserves.

"The project is right on budget and pretty much on schedule," Friedenbach said. "The money is wrapped up -- our original plan came together."

And now the building plan is coming together, too. Only a few items like finishing ceiling tiles, touching up paint and completing some of the electrical work are still on the to-do list.

It's beginning to really look like a clinic, Friedenbach said.

"Everyone has been really pleased with it," he said. "It looks really sharp in there."

An open house to celebrate the new clinic will be set at a later date.

"We're looking forward to having people come in," Friedenbach said.