Back in May the dignitaries were poking stainless steel ceremonial shovels into the dry, hard Baldwin soil just south of County Road 4 in Gulf Shores.

Today the shovels are not ceremonial — they’re powerful track hoes digging a 10-foot wide by 10-foot deep trench to bring in water and take out storm water and pipes for sewage going to the waste water treatment plant on 10th Street off Canal Road. 

Beyond the conveyance trenches, James Bros. Excavators are preparing for the big pad for the main hospital building. It will be some 100-feet by 200-feet at the footprint. Baldwin County clay is being brought in and compacted within the footings for the utilities. Dave Seurwink and Chris Summerfield are guiding the procedure with Global Positioning System with tolerances maintained to 1/1,000th of an inch. For the city inspectors this will be a walk in the park. 

Johnson Development of Birmingham, which has partnered with Sacred Heart in Destin, Pace and Pensacola, Fla., alerted The Islander in May that they would return soon to start the work. They’re here in August and going forward with energy and experience.

Laurie Collier Regan said in May, “We’re pleased to once again be working with Sacred Heart and area physicians on this dynamic project. The Gulf Shores community has been very supportive, and we look forward to breaking ground in May with an expected completion date in early 2008.” 

SUMMERDALE — The 60,000-square foot facility will be set back several hundred yards, and will occupy four acres. The remaining 33 acres will surround the facility and accommodate a shopping center and parking.

Patrick J. Madden, president and CEO of Sacred Heart Health System, made it clear in May that Sacred Heart is not new to Baldwin County. He said that Sacred Heart has been serving the health needs of the county for 90 years, and that in 2006 they saw 29,000 patients, had 1,700 Baldwin County residents in the hospitals, and provided $4 million of free care to citizens of Baldwin County.

Physicians in the community are making an investment in the services. Sacred Heart will add outpatient service as well in partnership with eight Baldwin County physicians.

Groundbreaking now is for real (and deep).