Lafayette health care provider celebrates new facility

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - A Lafayette health care provider has more than doubled its capacity.

Riggs Community Health Center officially opened its new facility with a ribbon cutting ceremony today. 

The new facility, formerly the Women's Clinic, on South Street in Lafayette will provide free health care to those who cannot afford it.

The newly renovated building plus the original Riggs facility on Hartford Street will go from 28 patient care rooms to 53. 

The Clinic was founded in 1988 by Lafayette pediatrician Dr. Wendell Riggs, who now suffers from Alzheimer's disease. 

His wife Eleanor says helping those in need is her husband's first priority.

“It's been his dream all of his life to serve other people,” Eleanor said. “He was very passionate about his work and about his children. I'm very proud of him and our family is very proud. I'm just sorry that he ill and not able to be here today.”

Dr. Riggs’ son was there as well.

"To see it finally come to an even greater fruition with an expansion to a very modern, updated and progressive hospital and medical setting, it is the fulfillment of many of both my parents' dreams,” Steven Riggs said.

If you would like to tour the new facility you can do so at an open house on Dec. 11 from 5:30 to 8:30 in the evening.

Riggs is located at 2316 South St. in Lafayette.