SIA breaks ground on new facility

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - A new facility at Subaru of Indiana Automotive (SIA) aims to help keep associates and their families healthy.

It's been 12 years since the last ground-breaking at SIA, but Wednesday afternoon that all changed. SIA officials and employees grabbed shovels and turned dirt for a new health and wellness center.

The new facility is expected to save SIA employees money when it comes to health care costs for them and their families. Nearly 7,000 SIA associates, retirees and dependents can use the new facility. SIA associate Jim Martin has three kids and said the new center will help save his family money on doctor bills.

"I think it's going to really help me out in particular because right now if my daughter gets sick over here at the daycare center, I have to go and find an appointment somewhere around town at wherever I can get. Now, if she gets sick at daycare, I can just come across the parking lot to the wellness center. That will be a lot more convenient and it's going to be cheaper for us too," said Martin.

All of the basic services a normal doctor's office provides such as primary, urgent care and lab services will be offered at the new facility. Counseling will also be available to employees.

Construction is expected to begin in the next couple of weeks. Plans are in place to open the facility this summer. It will be located on the east end of SIA's property near Interstate 65 in Lafayette right next to the Child Development Center and SIA's Recreation Center.