Hendrick Hospice Care plans to construct a new Hospice Care Center a couple blocks away from Hendrick’s primary hospital site.

The announcement of the expansion came March 3, the same day the Hendrick Hospice Care celebrated its 30th anniversary.

“We believe it was only fitting to announce future plans for the Hendrick Hospice Care Center at our 30th Anniversary Celebration, surrounded by community members who believe in our mission,” said Norm Archibald, vice president for Hendrick Medical Center. “While it’s important to celebrate and remember our past, we need to look to the future of Hendrick Hospice Care and how to best meet the needs of our community.”

The estimated cost for the care center is $10.4 million, which will come mostly from donations.

The care center has 8.7 acres mapped out that will be home to a 40,800 square foot complex with 16 patient rooms. Future expansion of eight more rooms will also be possible in the future.

The center will also have various rooms for family members and friends of the patients, an exterior walking track, a chapel, a counseling room and several other accommodations. The new building will also have administrative and home care offices on site.

“The new facility will give patients and their families more space to spend with each other and provide a home-like environment,” said Karen Tucek, director of Hendrick Hospice Care. “We are very excited to move everyone under one roof. Our current facilities do not include a dedicated area for educational sessions and has very limited space for family gatherings. Additionally, our Hospice team is separated into three buildings located several blocks from the main hospital campus. This will be a wonderful move for everyone.”

Hendrick plans to begin building the new facility in less than a year. The hospital plans to start construction in February of 2015 and open the new center 16 months later in May of 2016.

Donations can be made to Hendrick Medical Center Foundation at 1900 Pine St., Abilene, TX 79601.