Huntsville Hospital officially broke ground on the site of what will be Madison Hospital in 2012.

Huntsville Hospital CEO David Spillers opened the ceremony before a packed crowd of city officials, community leaders and hospital administrators who had gathered at the site.

The new 60-bed hospital will be located in Madison Medical Park at the intersection of Balch Road and U.S. 72 in Madison.

The $71 million facility will include emergency and urgent care, medical, surgical, obstetrics, noninvasive cardiology, diagnostic and wellness services.

“I’ve heard people talking over the year saying that it would never be built,” Madison Mayor Paul Finley said at the groundbreaking ceremony. “I’m pleased to be here to see this become a reality.”

In relation to the planned new hospital, Madison County Commissioner Dale Strong acknowledged the continuing increase in the number of physicians, emergency medical services, and other medical professionals who have located to Madison already.

“This has made healthcare better in Madison,” he said.

The hospital complex will include a five-story building and an ER/urgent care wing. It will have the potential to grow to 200 beds and employ an estimated 500 people.

Madison Hospital is scheduled to open in February, 2012.

For information about Madison Hospital, go to www.madisonalhospital.org.