Seven years after intentions for the project were announced, the ribbon is officially cut on Utica’s new Wynn Hospital.
From live music to performers on the side of the building, this wasn’t a typical ribbon cutting on Sunday.
Whether it’s the Boilermaker, America’s Heart Run and Walk, or apparently, a hospital ribbon cutting, Utica knows how to party.
Gov. Kathy Hochul got in the fun, too.
“Let’s celebrate,” Hochul said. “Let’s get the party started. You got it done, Utica.”
Many came out to see the ribbon be cut on Utica’s new Wynn Hospital. Among the visitors was registered nurse, Julie Grosse. She works at the Mohawk Valley Health System’s St. Luke’s campus, one of the two hospitals that will be closing.
"This place is my home,” Grosse said. “I'm a native to the Mohawk Valley. We've seen so many wonderful changes, and I can't believe that this is actually happening. It's so momentous for this entire community and for New York state.”
The 373-bed hospital is filled with new technology, providing what is hoped to be a more efficient workspace. Grosse looks forward to helping patients in the new building.
“It's so exciting,” she said. “We've seen so many tours on the inside. It's just breathtaking, and it's state-of-the-art for all of our patients, and the OR is going to be a very exciting place to be.”
Sunday’s presentation involved a handful of speakers including the Oneida County executive, and the MVHS president and CEO.
“Understand that we are not taking two facilities and merging them,” Mohawk Valley Health System President and CEO Darlene Stromstad. “We are really building a new health care system from the ground up.”
“We celebrate something that has not been seen in this community in nearly seven decades, something this state has not seen in over 25 years, and that is a new hospital,” Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente said. “Carved in the landscape of the city and county that has grown in New York state like no other in the state in the past 10 years.”
The hospital’s benefactor, longtime casino developer, Steve Wynn, also spoke. He grew up in Utica.
“Medical science is changing by the month,” Wynn said. “New cures, new treatments, new technology to relieve suffering is upon us. This hospital is going to have to keep up.”
As a surprise to Wynn, and to visitors, there was a performance by "Bandaloop" on the side of the hospital.
Although there were obstacles with getting to this point, the Wynn Hospital is officially up and will open to the public on Oct. 29.
The hospital was made possible with a $300 million state grant.