STURGIS, S.D.(KBHB) – The recently renovated and upgraded Emergency Department is now open for business at Monument Health Sturgis Hospital.

The construction project took about six months and added additional space, private rooms, updates to furnishings and fixtures, staff enhancements for charting and dictation, a behavioral health safe room and even a negative airflow system.

The Greater Sturgis Lifecare Foundation contributed $150,000 to Monument Health Sturgis Hospital, and the Monument Health Foundation matched the contribution with a $150,000 donation. Monument Health paid the remainder of the $900,000 cost.

Marck Schulte, President of the Sturgis market, says they took everything down to the studs and bare concrete and then built everything back up to take advantage of the space in the best way possible.

He says the improvements will help with the functionality of the Emergency Department.

Schulte says that while the upgraded Emergency Department will help the area be prepared for anticipated high numbers of rally-goers this year, it’s just as important that the Sturgis community has access to the best possible medical facilities year round.