Scotland Memorial Hospital and the Edwin Morgan Center are undergoing landscaping renovations.

Wayne Hobbs, Chairman of the Scotland Health Care System Building Committee, remarked that the project is very much needed. “I am excited about the fact that the grounds at both the hospital and the Morgan Center are undergoing facelifts. This is the first major external project of this kind for the hospital since moving to Lauchwood Drive twenty-seven years ago. These projects have a two-fold goal – to make both campuses a safer environment for patients and visitors and to make the exteriors of these facilities as beautiful as the care which is provided within their walls.”

While the Morgan Center project is being done on a much smaller scale than the hospital’s project, it does include an expansion to the patio area with new pavers and more plants which will allow residents and visitors to utilize the patio year round. The old shrubbery in front of the building is being replaced with healthier greenery.

The hospital’s campus renovation is being overseen by Heffner Landscaping and Ground Management of Southern Pines and Thames Construction. All of the old shrubbery has already been removed. The next step is to install new sidewalks and curbing and gutters in order to provide a safer passage from the parking lot to the front door of the hospital. “We want to prevent visitors from walking in the roadway to gain access to the hospital,” continued Mr. Hobbs. “Also our main purpose is to increase the safety of all those who visit the hospital.”

One of the most beautiful features of the project is the new, low wall which will be built on the grounds as you enter the hospital driveway. Hobbs commented, “The wall will be quite impressive, just low enough that it won’t restrict the view of the hospital, yet high enough to feature the hospital’s name. All new shrubbery and flowers will be planted in the circle at the front of the hospital, we’ll enhance lighting at the hospital entrance, and add more outside seating to the left of the front door, just off the cafeteria.”

It is estimated the two projects will take approximately 60 to 90 days to complete. At the end of that time the hospital’s grounds will be quite impressive, from the moment you turn into the driveway, all the way to the front door.