COEUR d'ALENE - The big blue hospital is getting bigger, and progress on its $57 million expansion project has reached the midway mark.

"We're almost exactly at the halfway point of the project," said Kootenai Health CEO Jon Ness. "This is halftime. We had a good first half, we're going to have a great second half."

The new section of the hospital boasts skylights, courtyards, clever design, plenty of space and modern, convenient schematics, but it won't look quite the same as its predecessor. Its exterior will have an almost optical-illusion-like S-curve with no actually curved pieces, and its metal panels will differ in hue from the well-known light blue.

"I'd describe it as a new shade of blue," Ness said.

During a tour Friday morning, manager of capital projects Derek Miller pointed out many features patients and visitors can look forward to while in the new three-story building, such as the spacious lobby that will have a reception desk where staff will be able to assist people right when they walk in the door.

"You know when you call the bank or something and there's no one on the other end of the line and it's kind of frustrating?" Miller asked. "We want to make sure that there's a person on that end of that experience so you'll be able to come in and someone will help."

Kootenai Health's last major expansion was in 1984. This project will include a birthing center, neonatal intensive care unit, medical-surgical patient rooms, expanded waiting areas including alcoves that look over the city and a covered drop-off area. The third floor will remain a shell space with flexibility to change as the community's health care needs shift.

"We feel really, really proud of the opportunity to significantly expand health care services for our community," Ness said. "We're really pleased that the Kootenai Health board made the commitment to invest $57 million to expand the facility."

Miller said at any given time during working hours, more than 130 crew members are installing electrical and plumbing systems, painting, hanging drywall and doing everything else that goes into building a modern, secure and well-thought-out medical facility. Between 500 to 700 construction jobs have been created by the project, Miller said.

The work is being conducted in phases and the south end of the site is nearing the final stages. Crews broke ground last August and the facility is scheduled to open late January 2016.

"This will be here long after I'm gone, and that's super cool," Miller said. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime project to be a part of. For me, as a project manager, that's really exciting."

Ingredients for an expansion:

12,388 sheets of drywall will be used

4,274 power outlets

3,500 yards of concrete

770 tons of steel

2,267 light switches

170 miles of electrical wire

565 door handles

236 toilets

78 televisions

33 exit signs