Chippewa Valley Health Cooperative Approves Lake Hallie Hospital

The Chippewa Valley Health Cooperative officially approved the details for a new full-service, nonprofit community hospital in Lake Hallie.

Plans for the new independent and locally-governed hospital have been in the works since the creation of the cooperative following the closure of HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital in Chippewa Falls and HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire. Nearly one year following the announcement of those closures, the Chippewa Valley Health Cooperative has released the final plans for a new hospital.

According to a press release, the new hospital will be a 144,000 square foot facility with 48 hospital beds, 12 intensive care unit beds, and critical features like an emergency room and cancer center. Officials with the cooperative expect the project to cost a total of $158 million dollars and open in late 2027.

Officials also say the new hospital will have over 400 full time employees not including medical staff, with OakLeaf Medical Network providing that medical staff. The 20 acre property will be located in Lake Hallie along the Highway 53 North-South corridor near Interstate 94 and County Highways 29 and 12.

Since the hospital closures earlier this year, the Chippewa Valley healthcare field has struggled to keep up with the increased demand. While a number of healthcare organizations have opened new clinics or expanded their services in the region, replacing the full offerings of two hospitals is a long-term issue.

Contributing to that long-term solution, Aspirus Health recently announced plans to open a new hospital in Chippewa Falls as well. The organization intends to announce a location for that facility in the coming weeks. Officials say they have already completed the preliminary plans for the hospital, and it could open in as little as 18 months once they obtain the necessary approvals.