The new Kishwaukee hospital opened this weekend.

On Saturday and Sunday, the new Kishwaukee Community Hospital provided tours and highlighted job opportunities for the general public.

The new hospital, set to open on Oct. 2, was built in response to the high demand for health care in the growing DeKalb-Sycamore area and to accommodate the increased demand for outpatient services.

Over the weekend, 2,500 to 3,000 visitors toured the new hospital, and more one hundred job applications were turned in. Self-guided tours included presentations by specialists in specific departments throughout the hospital.

Kevin Poorten, president and chief executive officer of the hospital, said they are right on track from an operational standpoint, and do not anticipate any problems for the opening.

“The turnout has far exceeded any expectations coming from community output and positive comments,” Poorten said.

The hospital will serve the needs of DeKalb County within a 30-35 mile radius. Keeping as many patients as possible is one of the goals in establishing the new hospital, so residents do not have to travel to Rockford or other surrounding areas in search of health care.

Construction on the new building began in July 2005 and was completed about mid-June of this year. The 280,000 square foot building cost about $110 million. $9.2 million came from community donations, about $60 million came from bonds, and the remaining balance came from cash reserves.

Loren Foelske, vice-president of finance for the hospital, said it was more cost efficient to build a new hospital than to expand the existing facility.

“A lot of people are excited about the new hospital and have an interest in working here,” Foelske said.

Sycamore resident Jan Bass came to see the layout and architecture of the building.

“I’m interested to see how it is for the general public when they first come in,” Bass said. “It seems comforting to enter the building.”

Everything about the move is focused on the patients, Poorten said.

“We want to make everything safe and seamless for patients,” Poorten said.

The older Kishwaukee hospital will still be put to use. The emergency department will be used for EMS purposes, and the cardiac rehab area will be still be active. The rest of the older facility is still being evaluated for use.