WXOW News 19 La Crosse, WI – News, Weather and Sports |Sparta Residents Tour New Mayo ER

Sparta, WI (WXOW)-- A new Mayo Clinic emergency room is about to open it's doors in Sparta, and Sunday residents were invited to tour the facility and learn about the new technology in the hospital.

Mary Moe has lived in Sparta for almost ten years and says an expanded and upgraded hospital is something the town desperately needed.

"There was one time when my son was sick with, he had gotten diagnosed with Lyme Disease, and then was sick on top of that," Moe said. "And they just didn't have the ability to do some of the tests, so we got sent down to La Crosse."

For Moe, not being able to get care close to home was hard on her and harder on her son.

"I think it was worse for him, the drive down there, than it was for me. You know, and then it prolonged figuring out what was wrong with him," Moe said.

Moe was among the residents touring the new facilities, which were paid for, in part, by members of the community.

"We have had financial support. There was a request of the community to donate $1.6 million, we reached $1.7 million," said Dr. Milt McMillen.

McMillen says having a upgraded emergency room will be an asset to Sparta.

"I would think a small community certainly relies on having a hospital available and good staffing. And it's got to be a real boost to the community to have that maintained and improved," McMillen said.

And Moe says she hopes the tour is the only time she sees the new facility, but it's gives her peace of mind knowing it's there.

The new emergency room will open it's doors officially early Wednesday morning.