A local hospital is expanding...

In an attempt to better treat its patients.

And, hopefully draw in more of them.

Delaware Valley Hospital in the Village of Walton broke ground today on an expansion to its emergency room.

This is where the expanded Emergency Room will be built.

Delaware Valley Hospital leaders broke ground at the site here in Walton.

They say it will attract doctors and patients, and provide them with the latest technology.

"This is what healthcare is all about. The people, a team, the commitment to quality healthcare. And that is what we have here," says CEO of Delaware Valley Hospital David Polge.

Construction on the 5-million dollar project should begin in 2 weeks.

Turning this design into reality in about a year.

The new ER will increase by 5,000 square feet.

State Senator John Bonacik believes people are looking for quality healthcare.

"When people look to locate in an area they make sure they have quality healthcare. That is an attraction, or a magnet to bring people in," says Bonacik.

Administrators say the hospital was close to foreclosure in 1990.

And the journey to expansion has been a battle.

"To have a hospital actually expand in these tough fiscal environment for rising healthcare costs is a tribute to this community," says Polge.

Village leaders say Walton is growing.

And if the community is going to promote growth they must have a hospital to accommodate.

"This is a place naturally where people are going to want to come. In order for us to be successful with that we need schools and good medical facilities like we do," says Village of Owego Mayor Ed Snow.

The new facility will feature 7 beds and five enclosed treatment areas.

A separate decontamination entrance will be built into the ER for patients who have been exposed to agricultural chemicals.

And new equipment, like a 16-slice CAT scan, is included in project.

Again, Delaware Valley's new Emergency Room is set to open about a
year from now.