Avera Health announced it will begin construction on $174 million worth of projects. The focus includes a new health campus, the largest building project in Sioux Falls’ history.

The Avera on Louise Health Campus will be constructed on 82 acres in southwest Sioux Falls. Work will begin this fall, and when constructed, the campus will have multiple buildings. The first phase includes a surgical hospital and a connected medical office building, comprising 260,000 square feet. Opening of the campus is slated for early 2020.

The campus will specialize in orthopedics and sports medicine, gastroenterology, rheumatology and internal medicine. The surgical hospital will offer a range of surgical procedures including robotic surgery.

The 24-bed surgical hospital will feature large, technologically advanced surgical suites. A complete outpatient gastroenterology unit will have numerous procedure rooms. The buildings will be connected by a multi-story commons space with dining options, a gift shop and a chapel. The surgical hospital also will house all supportive services such as physical therapy, laboratory, imaging, pharmacy and biomedical equipment, with space reserved for future growth.

In conjunction with this project, Avera McKennan plans an extensive renovation project on its main campus. Other plans include expansion of ICU and clinic space.

The design and construction team includes BWBR Architects, Journey Construction, and Garrett Peters, AIA, Avera McKennan.