Under-Construction Virtua Center Reaches 'Major Milestone'

In front of a large crowd made up of business leaders, local dignitaries, and interested citizens, Virtua marked a significant milestone in the construction of the Moorestown Health and Wellness Center Friday morning.

Construction crews hoisted into place the final steel beam signifying the complete of the building’s steel framework. Attached to the beam were two traditional symbols: an American flag representing patriotism and an evergreen tree, to bestow good luck on the occupants of the building. 

Richard Miller, Virtua president and chief executive officer, said the “topping off” ceremony was a “major milestone” for the health system. The Moorestown center is the third ambulatory facility Virtua has built in the area, with the first two in Washington Township and Voorhees.

Miller said the 200,000-square-foot Moorestown center, which sits just off Young Avenue, will benefit from Virtua having honed its health and wellness center model.

“Moorestown is the recipient of things we probably didn’t do right in a lot of areas (at the other facilities),” he said. “But in a positive way.”

The center will offer a multitude of services, including immediate care—“We’ll be able to treat patients that can’t get into their primary care office,” said Miller—physical rehabilitation, nutrition programs, and a large fitness center.

“The future of medicine is on the outpatient side,” he said.

Several local politicians were in attendance to witness the topping off, including Sen. Diane Allen, Freeholder Director Bruce Garganio and Mayor John Button.

Button couldn’t recall when Virtua first approached the township about building the center, but said, “I know when I heard it, I was extremely pleased … This facility is full before it even opens—in terms of jobs, but also in terms of folks who want to be in this facility.

“It’s extremely important for our town.”

The 18 acres of farmland upon which the center is being built was just an empty lot before Virtua broke ground, Button said.

Construction of the facility has created 300 temporary jobs, and once it's complete, the $96 million center will employ about 300 people, with 230 of those positions being new jobs.

Miller said construction will be completed before the end of the year.