From the May 17, 1973 edition of The Wayne Herald
Hospital ground breaking: 'Goal finally reached'
"Today is the day we've all been awaiting for the past weeks, months and years," Wayne Mayor Kent Hall said during Monday's formal ground breaking ceremonies at the site of the new hospital which will be built near Wayne State College.
"Today wouldn't have come without the help of many, many people," Hall told the crowd of more than 100 which turned out for the event.
He complimented local and area residents for pushing the fund drive over its $500,000 goal, fund drive workers, the Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Norfolk for matching local contributions, the local city council for taking prompt action on issues related to the drive for the hospital and the Board of Trustees of the Nebraska State Colleges for donating the land.
Construction on the 26-bed, $1.5 million facility will begin as soon as federal approval is given on bids opened in April.
Mother Imelda of the Missionary Benedictine Sisters at Norfolk told the crowd that "the key is in the lock and we will all help turn it."
The door is about to open on a whole new period for this part of the state, she said, and everybody who has helped make the dream become possible should feel proud they had a part in it.
Mother Imelda helped dig dirt with a smiling face during the ground breaking ceremony.
