Lewis & Clark Behavioral Health Services Breaks Ground on New Facility
The new 60,000-square-foot Lewis & Clark Behavioral Health Services Facility broke ground on May 31, 2023.
Between 75 and 100 people from state and local officials to community members were at the groundbreaking ceremony to show support for this new building. Robin Miller (Architect), Matt Sutton (Civil Engineer), and Randy Gunnink (Project Manager) were there to represent Schemmer as the architectural and engineering designer of this project.
The need for this new facility in Yankton, SD is growing. According to the USDA of South Dakota (who contributed to funding this project), it is estimated that 50,000 adults in South Dakota struggle with substance use disorders, 30,000 adults have serious thoughts of suicide, 11,000 youths have had major depressive episodes in the past year, and 3,000 youths struggle with substance use disorders.
Director of Rural Development, USDA, Nikki Gronli also says South Dakota faces challenges related to mental health care providers. She says the state has one of the lowest ratios of mental health providers in the country. This shortage of providers leads to nearly 27,000 adults with mental illness reportedly being unable to receive the treatment they need.
Schemmer's Design of Lewis & Clark Behavioral Health Services Improves Theses Statistics





The new facility that will connect to an existing building at the site will feature 60,000 square feet of additional space. 31,000 square feet of this new facility will be for office space which will bring more staff and additional services under one roof. 29,000 square feet of space will go towards inpatient and crisis care which adds 13,000 square feet of new crisis care space. The new facility will have separate areas for youths and adults and include a large courtyard for activities and time outside. The design consolidates some of the services LCBHS provides and this will increase efficiency and service delivery.
Gronli says, "This really is about them being able to expand, bring more staff on, be able to serve more people. We know that in South Dakota a large portion of people do not receive the treatment that they need and so between this expansion, the new staff, and the existing staff that has been doing this work, this is just a real treasure for this community."
If all goes according to schedule, the new Lewis & Clark Behavioral Health Service Facility's construction will be complete in 2025.
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