WEBSTER?CITY – Jensen Builders, Fort Dodge, was awarded the contract for the first bid package for the construction of the new clinic building at Van Diest Medical Center.

A public hearing was held at the Tuesday Board of Trustees meeting. Jensen Builders turned in the low bid of $993,090, which was 13.76 percent below the budgeted amount, according to VDMC Chief Executive Officer Lori Rathbun. The bid was for site work, utilities, landscaping, concrete and structural steel. The next round of bid packages have been requested and are expected to be opened on July 8, she said.

Public Relations Director Lori Foster announced that a ground breaking ceremony for the new clinic will also be held July 8 at 11:30 a.m.

“There will be a brief program before the traditional turning of the dirt,” Foster said, adding that a barbecue will follow the program.

In other related clinic business, the board approved the new name for the facility. The clinic will be known as Van Diest Family Health Clinic. The board reviewed several suggested names and also clinic logo options before coming to a decision.

Rathbun also announced that a five-year anniversary celebration is being planned for September. Van Diest Medical Center officially opened its doors on Sept. 27, 2010.