“When we first built the facility back in 2005, we had some additional space on the second floor at the Medical Center at Wilton that was not finished at the time,” said Paul Scimeca, vice president for physician practices and community health with the Glens Falls Hospital. “We kept it available as what we called a shell space for future expansion, and we’re thrilled to be able to now look at expanding it and to finish off that space.”
What was once 3,500 square feet of empty “shell” space on the facility’s second floor will soon be transformed into additional clinical space for physicians and practitioners, including primary care and family practice space.
“It will have new examination and treatment rooms, along with new examining room equipment as well,” said Scimeca. “Family practice and endocrinology are our two specialties at that facility, so [the expansion] will provide additional clinical space for our diabetes educators as well as our nutrition counselors.”
Scimeca indicated that the 18,000-square-foot facility at 135 North Road has experienced tremendous growth since it first opened in 2005. In 2011 over 30,000 patients passed through their doors, nearly twice as many as when they first opened for business. The growing demand for services mirrors the growth of the Wilton community itself, which the 2010 U.S. Census data revealed is the fastest growing population of any town in New York State.
“The expansion is necessary simply because we continue to see very, very strong growth in the Wilton community. We’re thrilled to be a part of it and very pleased to be able to expand so that we can provide additional care for patients and the community,” said Scimeca.
Construction on the project will begin as soon as the hospital finds a construction company to complete the job, something they hope to achieve in short order. Once started, it’s estimated construction will take a mere four months to complete, which means the space will ideally be open to the public in late May, early June.
And with a total of 8 acres of land at the Medical Center at Wilton location, future plans for expansion are still on the table.
“Although we have no definite plans at this time, we do have the opportunity for further expansion,” Scimeca confirmed.
While the hospital expects to add one new physician to the staff in the fall, there are no immediate plans to hire any additional staff members. But as with future plans for further expansion, new staff remains an option as the hospital continues to grow.
