Hospital begins main entrance renovation

  • Published
  • By Sara Francis
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The hospital will begin a large-scale renovation of the main entrance this weekend. The access road and several parking spots around the project site will be shut down during the construction.

The renovation will include the construction of a curbless entrance where patients will be able to enter the hospital without having to access a single ramp location. The entire sidewalk and parking lot will be level with the entrance, allowing for easier access and egress for those who are using walking aids or wheelchairs.

“This is the area of the project that will impact the [experience] of our patients most directly,” said Ben Davis, 96th Medical Group Project Health facility officer. “Every day, I see patients who struggle to get around- our older retired veterans, active duty on crutches, and young mothers pushing strollers.  The new curbless entrance will make it so much easier for them to get inside to receive the medical care they need.”

The project is expected to last five months. The entrance will remain available and open during that time. The parking lot will lose 25 spaces during the construction, but will be returned when the project is complete. The entrance will gain an 85-foot long patient drop off lane and maintain the two-lane road that runs the entire length of the hospital.

“It's suggested patients use the other entrances of the building while construction is ongoing,” said Robert West, 96th MDG project manager. “It will just be safer and provide a better surface to walk on specially the patient which require assistance walking.”

A similar project for the emergency/in-patient entrance is entering the early planning stages. Funding for the second entrance was granted after the initial project was already underway.

“This [canopy and curbless entrance] is a wonderful improvement to the facility,” said West. “Once the second canopy is funded at the emergency room we will have the same access at all three of the main entrances.”