MT. VERNON — As the architectural rendering of the Crossroads Community Hospital expansion project was unveiled Friday morning, those in the crowd gasped and many exclaimed, “Wow” before applause broke out.

“This is becoming a high point in my career,” Crossroads Community Hospital Chief Executive Officer Ed Cunningham said. “After all the expansions and renovations that have been undertaken, this is the final piece. ... In essence, we will have a new hospital.”

The standing room only crowd in the hospital’s executive conference room viewed a video outlining the history of the facility and comments that the hospital is “landlocked” which prompted officials to build “up.”

“The expansion will connect the northern-most and southern-most wings of the hospital and the area now known as the courtyard will be filled with a modern three-story structure stretching eastward,” information from the hospital states. “All ancillary departments will move to the front of the building near the Emergency and Surgery departments, increasing convenience for patients seeking multiple services.

“The new first floor will house the Radiology and Respiratory Therapy departments, Laboratory and Admitting area,” the information continues. “The Emergency and Surgery departments will be expanded and a new gift shop will be added. A new 250-seat conference center will provide space for healthcare education and community seminars. The hospital plans to make the space available to community partners. A new administrative suite will be adjacent to the conference center.”

In June, the hospital received a height variance to allow the hospital to follow through with plans for the three story addition and elevator tower. Cunningham said getting the variance was needed before the hospital could file a certificate of need with the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board, which has since been submitted.

“The next step in the process is the CON hearing,” Cunningham said. “I heard (Thursday) evening we should have a decision on the CON on Oct. 26. ... If the CON is approved, we hope to be able to break ground somewhere between January and March, depending on if the plans are approved by the state.”

Cunningham said the project is estimated to be $20 million to $25 million — money which has already been set aside for the construction project.

“That’s one of the nice things about being managed by one of the largest companies in the United States,” Cunningham said. “We have the (ability) to do a lot of things.”

Cunningham said work toward the expansion has been ongoing for many years, with a master plan developed in the 1990s. Expansions that have been completed were part of the plan, including the emergency room addition, construction of the medical office building and renovations of the intensive care unit and surgical suite.

Mt. Vernon Mayor Mary Jane Chesley said it was a “big day for the city of Mt. Vernon.”

“A tower of health is developing,” Chesley said. “That doesn’t happen overnight. You can’t just wave a wand. ... It happens with a plan and a lot of hard work.”

State Rep. John Cavaletto said the expansion “is impressive.”

“This will make Mt. Vernon a medical center of the south,” Cavaletto said. “It’s because of the staff and people who have worked and have a vision for the future and growth.”

State Sen. John  O. Jones commented that with the expansion to date and the new additions, “that’s a lot of dollars invested right here in this facility.”

“There’s good things happening in this country and in this state,” Jones said. “We have a great medical make up here in Mt. Vernon.”

Cunningham repeatedly thanked the staff, department heads and administrative team who have worked on the project and added, “We couldn’t be here without the healthcare employees and the quality doctors we have in this community. The industry growth in this community is second to none.”

Crossroads Community Hospital Board Chair Kathy Withers  said the picture of the final plans for the hospital construction were impressive.

“This is a plan that has been going on a long time and this is just a culmination of the work that’s been going on at this hospital for many years,” Withers said.