Hospital, Cabela's expansion ready to move forward

The city approved the final plat for both the Cabela’s corporate office expansion and the Sidney Regional Medical Center addition. The yes vote by Sidney’s city council last week allows both projects to move forward to their next phases.

Cabela’s plans to grade and develop a 27-acre section adjacent to the company’s current headquarters facility. While work will cover the entire plat, Cabela’s expects to build upon the land as needed. The initial construction will include an office structure and parking, as well as preparation of the remaining land and drainage work.

“The purpose of this initial plat will take care of the entire 27 acres,” Dennis Armstrong, architect for Cabela’s, told the city during one of the initial discussions, “with just a portion of it being build out in the first phase.”

Grading and utilities would be set in place to accommodate future development, as well.

The new 122,000 square foot Sidney Regional Medical Center hopes to open in 2016. It will replace the current facility, built in 1953. It will depend upon completion of the city’s east Sidney expansion project and the extension of Toledo Rd.

Rights of way for the roads and funding for hospital construction have already been established.

“No one’s property tax is going up,” SRMC Chief Executive Jason Petik said.

The new hospital, which is expected to house more than 340 staff and a 25-bed critical access facility, will occupy land at the future intersection of Greenwood and Toledo. The facility’s plans include a fixed MRI, new clinic space, an expanded emergency room and an all-weather helicopter pad.