Bids for the adolescent treatment center in Winnebago have been awarded, and it’s good news for the United Hospital District board of directors.

After examining close to 100 proposals, staff of United Builders in Blue Earth — construction manager for the project — recommended the board approve bids of $3.145 million.

Contingency and other ‘soft’ costs put total cost of the project at $3.9 million.

“We are under budget with what the board approved in April,” says Dennis Vonasek, architect for the project.

Construction of the facility initially was estimated at $4.3 million. By June, that was down to slightly more than $4 million.

Mark Mensing of United Builders says site development work can get under way by the end of this month.

Vonasek says the new treatment center is a huge commitment to the program and the community.

“This is going to be one of the huge benchmarks in the country,” adds Vonasek.

A ground-breaking for the new facility has been scheduled for Aug. 4 and the public is invited.

The UHD board plans to hold their monthly meeting at the Winnebago Municipal Center before going to the site for the ceremony.

Board members also approved to proceed with finalization of construction documents for the hospital campus expansion project in Blue Earth. Bids are expected to be received later this month and awarded in mid August.

Vonasek says total construction cost of the 56,140-square foot expansion and renovation project is estimated at $18.5 million.

In the past, UHD administrator Jeff Lang has said he expects bids to come in 10 percent lower than anticipated.

The board has approved a budget of $21 million for both projects.

Mensing says he expects construction to begin in early September and be completed in late 2011.

“It’s going to be a very, very nice facility. It will be on the cutting edge for the services we will be able to deliver to the community,” Lang says.