Ground broken on Shriners pediatric medical building on University of Kentucky campus

Officials from the University of Kentucky and Shriners Hospitals for Children broke ground on a $47 million building that will provide pediatric medical care just across the street from UK HealthCare's Kentucky Children's Hospital.

The building, at South Limestone and Conn Terrace, is expected to open in 2017.

Since 1926, Shriners has provided orthopedic care to children in its iconic hospital building on Richmond Road, but officials have said that smaller, more modern quarters are needed as outpatient procedures become more prominent.

UK also will have ophthalmology services on two floors of the new building.

"Relocating to the UK HealthCare campus will bring together the pediatric orthopedic expertise Shriners is known for with the top-rated specialty and subspecialty pediatric care at Kentucky Children's Hospital — a benefit to children with complex conditions," said Dale Stauss, Imperial Potentate of Shriners International, the fraternity that founded and governs Shriners Hospitals. "Close proximity to a first-rate medical center will also enhance the education and research aspects of our mission."

The new medical center will include a motion analysis laboratory (one of only three in the state), 20 patient exam rooms, two surgical suites, a rehabilitation gymnasium and therapy rooms, and interactive artwork. Children who need hospitalization will stay at Kentucky Children's Hospital.

An $8 million capital campaign that kicked off in October has raised more than $6 million for the project. Shriners will own the building on land leased from UK.

This story was originally published March 9, 2015 at 5:25 PM with the headline "Ground broken on Shriners pediatric medical building on University of Kentucky campus."