GETTYSBURG, S.D. (KCCR) – Officials with Avera Health gathered in Gettysburg Monday to break ground on a new health center that will service north central parts of South Dakota near the Missouri River. Presentation Sister Lynn Marie Welbig says the word groundbreaking is more than just the action of moving the Earth.

Avera contributed $9 million of the $12 million needed to build the Avera Missouri River Health Center while Gettysburg and surrounding communities have raised $2.3 million of the remaining $3 million. Avera Gettysburg Administrator Robert Sheckler says the project wouldn’t be possible without the community’s support.

Avera President and C-E-O Bob Sutton says Avera serves communities as much as they do people.

The 21,000 square-foot facility will include access to Avera’s E-Care telemedicine services. Wet conditions prevented an actual ceremonial groungbreaking. Construction is expected to begin this fall.