Spirit Lake, IA (northwestiowanow.com) — Lakes Regional Healthcare announced a 20-million-dollar construction plan last month to double the size of the Emergency Room, providing more safety features and privacy for patients and their families.

A ceremonial ground-breaking ceremony was held Thursday morning.

CEO Jason Harrington said it’s been a while since a major expansion that added a new surgery wing, birthing center, family doctor’s offices, and new patient rooms.

Construction is expected to take twenty-two months. Harrington says they’ll maintain eight E.R. rooms throughout the entire process.