Ideal Construction was selected through a public Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) process to build the new Reeves Memorial Medical Center (RMMC) replacement hospital in Bernice, Louisiana. The new facility is located on the former Bernice High School campus, which closed in 2013. The project required demolition of the existing structures on the site while preserving the school’s gymnasium, which is being refurbished to serve multiple functions for the hospital and community.

The new single-story hospital was designed to enhance patient care in a modern, efficient environment and includes:

• Fifteen private patient rooms with full bathrooms and space for family members
• An expanded clinic offering primary care, dentistry, and counseling services
• An imaging department with 64-slice CT, mammography, digital X-ray, ultrasound, and echocardiogram
• A secure emergency department with four treatment rooms
• A modern laboratory designed to serve patients efficiently
• A large therapy gym with discrete treatment areas and private treatment rooms
• An expanded dining room serving patients, staff, and community patrons
• A chapel for quiet meditation and reflection
• A 12,000-square-foot courtyard designed to support outdoor healing and mobility

Like many Critical Access Hospital projects, the effort began with a tight budget, requiring careful cost control and collaboration. Through detailed planning, clear communication, and a strong team approach, Ideal Construction successfully maintained the Guaranteed Maximum Price while keeping the project on schedule despite early weather challenges.