Senator Mark Ward, base officials tour new Hospital at Fort Belvoir

Charles Zuckerman

Fort Belvoir is in the midst of construction that will revitalize the installation's healthcare services upon its completion. In an effort to check up on the progress of the effort, which could greatly benefit the health and economy of the region, Senator Mark Warner joined Congressman Jim Moran and several base officials in a tour of the new hospital grounds.

Scheduled for completion in 2011, the $807 million community hospital will host around 120 beds, four attached clinical buildings, two parking garages and a helipad for emergency response. The facility will ease the strains being placed on the base's existing hospital, which has been struggling to provide adequate medical coverage for the region in recent years.

All in attendance were impressed by the approximately 1 million square-foot hospital, which began construction more than 2 years ago. Of particular note were the nearly finished outpatient building, a reception center which will overlook a garden, and the specially designed roofs that will collect rain water for the garden and other needs.

"Without a doubt, this is going to be a world-class facility once it’s completed," Warner told the Stafford County Sun. "It's fitting we have something substantive that shows our appreciation for the sacrifices made by our men and women in uniform."

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