Photo by George Lauby Working in the heart center waiting room, July 10.

Photo by George Lauby Construction signs and vehicles, west side.

Courtesy Photo­Image Overhead conceptual drawing of the full addition.

Work is underway on the west side of the Great Plains Regional Medical Center in North Platte, headed toward what advocates say will be a $80 million expansion.

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Construction began in late June to remodel the west end, which was recently renovated to be the heart and vascular center.

The newest remodeling is expected to house the technology center for the hospital, the computer servers and storage of data. The current technology room will be demolished if expansion proceeds.

The board of directors is still looking at final plans and hasn't approved the full expansion, said Vice President of Growth and Development Marcia Baumann.

Architects are currently visiting the medical center and submitting final options. Official unveiling of the new project could come Aug. 1, Baumann said.

In late April, plans were tentatively announced to make the west part of the building five stories tall. The hospital’s annual income totals nearly $150 million, CEO Greg Nielson said.

Previously, chairman of the board David Pederson said the board is weighing the needs of the hospital for the next 40 years.

The original 1975 heating, air conditioning and ventilation systems would be 40 years old by the time the new building would open.

The new tower, as hospital officials call it, would have single patient rooms and dedicated floors, or wings for medical patients, surgical patients, pediatrics and behavioral health.

There would be just one patient per room, allowing more space for family members to visit and helping control the transfers of infections, Pederson said.