Physical Therapy Associates PS, of Spokane, recently broke ground on a $2 million building that will house its practice on Spokane's South Hill.

Jeff Fenton, a co-owner and physical therapist, says the 11,300-square-foot structure, which is to be located at 2627 S. Southeast Blvd. and will have a main floor with a mezzanine level, is expected to be completed by mid-November. The group, which specializes in orthopedic and sports-related rehabilitation, expects to move there from a leased, 3,500-square-foot building at 3020 S. Grand Blvd.

The physical therapy group's orthopedic rehabilitation services assist patients who have injury or disease affecting muscle, bone, ligament, tendon, and related joints. The practice also offers evaluations for runners and other wellness-focused services, Fenton says.

The new facility is being constructed on just over half an acre at the northeast corner of Southeast Boulevard and 27th Avenue by Yost, Mooney & Pugh Contractors Inc., of Spokane. Spokane-based Uptic Studios designed the structure.

Fenton estimates that the current project value, including land purchase, is at about $2 million. He says the practice secured a U.S. Small Business Administration loan through Washington Trust Bank to finance the project. Spokane-based Regulus Properties LLC, a development and investment company that helped select the site, is acting as project manager.

The practice's building will include 12 patient rooms, space for new rehabilitation and training equipment, a yoga studio, a 15-foot-by-13-foot therapy pool with two underwater treadmills, a massage studio, and a large gym space.

The therapy pool for water-therapy exercise will include swim resistance features that allow people to swim against a current, Fenton says.

The pool will benefit patients such as people who have had surgeries or experienced stress fractures and can't do weight-bearing exercises but can exercise in the water to help keep their fitness up, he says.

The building is to include about 1,900 square feet of ground-floor space that will be leased to a tenant, which hasn't been secured yet.

A total of 13 people, including five physical therapists, work at the practice, Fenton says, and that number is expected to grow.

"We're going to expand our business," Fenton says. "We want to start more wellness programs and help people get on exercise programs, talk to dieticians, and be more proactive in their health."

"We're looking for new hires as well," he adds. The new employees are expected to include two physical therapy assistants, and Fenton says the practice also wants to bring in massage therapists and dieticians who may be contract workers.

Fenton and physical therapist Kelly Risse are majority owners in the practice, and the other three therapists have minority ownership. Risse's father, retired physical therapist John Risse, founded the practice 22 years ago, Fenton says.