GAINES TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — Construction is coming along on the $98 million Pine Rest Pediatric Center of Behavioral Health.

Thousands of kids who struggle with mental health can get access to the help they need because of large donations like the $8 million Pine Rest received from the David and Carol Van Andel Family Foundation Monday.

“Even before COVID hit, we were sorely lacking in behavioral health resources for kids, long wait times, services that kids needed that didn’t exist in the area. Now after COVID, the need for these services are even greater,” said Mark Eastburg, Pine Rest President and CEO.

Getting kids the help they need can be a problem.

“The wait time to see a child psychologist can be months. Frustrated and desperate parents bring their child to an emergency room and there might not be services for them,” said Eastburg.

He hopes to eliminate those frustrations at this new $98 million facility.

“Expanding our existing services and brand-new services, expanding our inpatient care, our day hospitalization program, outpatient services. But there will be new services and programs, specialty services and autism, substance use disorder and a psychiatric urgent care for kids,” he explained.

After a groundbreaking in May, the work continues thanks to donations like the one from the David and Carol Van Andel Family Foundation. At $8 million, it’s the biggest donation in Pine Rest history.

Christian Van Andel, whose family has donated millions of dollars to Pine Rest in the past, said he hopes this will get people talking more about mental health.

“A lot of people are scared to have that conversation. And to be able to bring a pediatric center here for kids in West Michigan was a no-brainer for us to partner with them,” said Van Andel.

Pine Rest expects to treat 10,000 kids per year.

While it is a challenge nationally to find behavioral health providers, Eastburg said they have a plan to recruit 300 more specialists.

“We’re building this program for our families, neighbors and the people that we love, our kids, grandkids and great grand kids, that keeps us going, fired up,” said Eastburg.

He said crews will continue working during the winter months. The facility is scheduled to open in the spring of 2026.