CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – A groundbreaking ceremony was held Tuesday morning to celebrate the development of the 96-acre Ascension Clarksville Medical Campus near the intersection of Highway 76 and I-24.

The event included Ascension Saint Thomas representatives, elected officials and other community leaders all coming together to celebrate the historic moment in Clarksville.

Group of people in hard hats and business attire shovel dirt at a groundbreaking ceremony under a tent, with blue ribbons on the shovels.
Crowd of professionals mingling outside a large white event tent on a sunny day, with construction equipment in the background.
People in business and casual attire stand with heads bowed in a large white tent, rows of folding chairs set up for a ceremony.
Group of five professionals posing for a photo at an indoor networking event, photographer in the foreground wearing a blue shirt.
Group of professionals wearing hard hats perform a groundbreaking ceremony, each holding a shovel with a blue ribbon and turning soil in front of a banner and flowers.
Man in a plaid blazer speaks at a clear podium under a tent, with a tall vase of sunflowers behind him,
Man in a blue suit giving a speech at a transparent lectern under a white tent, with sunflowers and a branded backdrop reading 'Ascension Saint Thomas'.
Speaker at a podium on a stage under a large tent, addressing a line of attendees as sunflowers decorate the backdrop during a groundbreaking ceremony.
Man in a brown plaid blazer speaks at a clear podium under a tent, with sunflower arrangements and an Ascension Saint Thomas backdrop.
Man in a dress shirt and red tie speaks at a clear podium with a microphone, sunflower arrangements, and Ascension Saint Thomas branding in the background.
Man in a light blue blazer speaks into a microphone at a clear lectern, with sunflowers arranged behind him under a tent.
Older man in a navy blazer speaks at a transparent lectern, microphone in front, under a white tent with sunflower arrangements and a branded backdrop.
Catholic priest in black robes raises a liturgical implement during a blessing as a line of people watches on stage under a tent
Ceremonial shovels with white hard hats and blue ribbons lined up beside a flower-arranged stage at a groundbreaking ceremony.
Two businessmen shake hands at a formal event, one holding a folder, with flower arrangements in the background.
Group of four men in suits posing for a photo at a professional event, smiling for the camera with name badges visible far left and right.
Older man in a navy suit giving a speech at a clear podium with a microphone, under a tent with a tall sunflower arrangement behind him
Large photo print on an easel showing a busy crosswalk with pedestrians and cars at an outdoor exhibition.
Group of professionals in hard hats and business attire breaking ground with shovels at a construction ceremony under a tent, blue ribbons on shovels and flower arrangements nearby
Man in a blue blazer speaks at a clear podium inside a tent, with sunflower arrangements and Ascension Saint Thomas banners.
Group of professionals networking at a formal event; man in light gray suit smiles while talking to a man in a blue suit as a woman in a blue blazer looks on.
Woman in a bright pink dress speaks at a clear podium on a stage surrounded by sunflowers and a row of white hard hats.
Man in a blue suit speaks at a clear podium under a tent, holding notes with sunflowers in the background (Ascension Saint Thomas event)
Female soldier in camouflage holding a rifle at attention during a color guard ceremony, with the flag and spectators in the background.
Man in a gray suit speaks at a transparent podium with a microphone, sunflower arrangement visible behind him in a tented venue.
Audience seated in folding chairs at an outdoor event, with photographers filming in the background.
Young woman in a bright pink dress speaks at a clear podium with a microphone in a decorated event tent, floral arrangements behind her
Woman in a green blazer speaks at a clear podium with a microphone at an outdoor event, colorful flower arrangements behind her.
Smiling man in a blue checkered blazer and cap chats with attendees at a crowded event, with a camera crew in the background.
A woman with blonde hair in a white lace top and green necklace speaks to a crowd at a social event, pointing as she talks.

Community leaders address historic day in Clarksville

Leaders at Tuesday’s ceremony said the project represents years of planning and collaboration between the different stakeholders involved.

“We’re in a moment that this community has been waiting for a long time,” said Fahad Tahir, President and CEO of Ascension Saint Thomas. “This community wanted us here. And that’s what makes it that much more special.”

Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden called the project an investment in the future of the county and its residents. “Today is an investment into the people of Montgomery County, their health, their well-being and quality of life,” Golden said. “With a population of our size, we must focus on accessible, high-quality healthcare close to home where we live, work, play and worship.”

Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts described the groundbreaking as a transformational moment for the city. “Today cannot be overstated,” Pitts said. “We’re here to bear witness to a transformational moment in our city and our community. The addition of Ascension Saint Thomas to our healthcare infrastructure will be one of those defining moments.”

‘We came here to listen, to ask questions and to learn’

Hospital leaders said the development was designed specifically around feedback from Clarksville residents rather than a standard hospital model. “We didn’t come here with a blueprint,” Tahir said. “We came here to listen, to ask questions and to learn. What you see around you is the manifestation of that feedback.”

Ascension President and CEO Eduardo Conrado said the project is intended to serve as both a healthcare destination and a gathering place for the community. “It’s not a box that we’re creating. It’s a campus,” Conrado said. “It was very intentional to represent the land, represent the community, be walkable and be not just a healthcare campus, but a gathering place.”

The 96-acre campus is expected to expand healthcare access in Clarksville while reducing the need for residents to travel to Nashville for specialized care. Leaders said the project will also create new jobs and support continued growth in Montgomery County.

| PREVIOUSLY: Ascension Clarksville Medical Campus to include public infrastructure, seeks tax incentives

Lead up to groundbreaking ceremony

The process for the development of the Clarksville medical campus began when Ascension Saint Thomas and TriStar both received approval to build hospitals in Clarksville by the Tennessee Health Facilities Commission.

The groundbreaking celebration was held shortly after the economic impact plan for the Ascension Clarksville Medical Campus was approved by the Clarksville City Council and Montgomery County Commission in recent weeks.

It was confirmed in mid-May that Ascension St. Thomas planned for much more than a hospital on their future health campus.

The $148.5 million hospital will anchor the Ascension Clarksville Medical Campus, bringing together physician partners, Tennessee Oncology, Tennessee Orthopaedic Alliance, Ascension Saint Thomas Heart, the inpatient Lifepoint Rehabilitation hospital, and a Montgomery County Emergency Medical Services station.

There will also be restaurants and retail to support the patients, employees and visitors. To make the project happen, AST will build a public connector road from Mulberry Place at the north to Little Hope Church Road at the east, according to previous reports, along with an expanded water main.

Wesley Irvin contributed to this report.

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