Banner Boswell Medical Center’s new emergency department opened for patients on Oct. 6.

The project, part of a $106 million expansion effort undertaken at the hospital at 10401 W. Thunderbird Blvd. in Sun City, began seeing patients in its upgraded 40,000-square-foot space.

The new department increased capacity from 42 to 56 beds and allows it to care for up to 60,000 patients annually, an increase of 25% over the previous facility.

“We are thrilled about the extra capacity that will serve the growing needs of the community for generations to come. This new ED and patient tower lobby will truly transform our Boswell campus and create a welcoming experience given the new entrance,’’ said Sharon Lind, CEO of Banner Boswell Medical Center, in a press release.

Construction work was completed by St. Louis-based McCarthy Building Cos., which has a major office in Phoenix.

The project is the beginning of what will be several openings. In January 2021, the new patient tower’s first floor will open with a lobby, gift shop, pharmacy, admitting desk and chapel as well as space for a new cardiac catheterization lab. The remaining floors of the six-story, 322,000-square-foot tower will be for patient rooms.

The emergency department was fast-tracked through several construction project efficiencies, said Chris Nickle, executive vice president for McCarthy.

“This fast-tracked emergency department completion wouldn’t have been possible without the project team successfully employing its collaborative Integrated Project Delivery construction method and utilizing large-scale prefabrication,” he said in a press release. “We knew it was critical for Banner Boswell to open early and in time for the busy fall and winter season, and we’re thrilled to meet that goal.”

The overall project was financed with the help of community support through the Sun Health Foundation.

“The beautiful, new emergency department stands as a testament to the vibrant future our community can build when we work together,” said Gina W. Ore, chief philanthropy officer of Sun Health Foundation in a press release.

The funding was done through the Generosity for Generations campaign, which Ms. Ore said was at 59% of its goal and continuing to make progress.
The project’s architect was HMC Architects.