U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen and Sen. Maria Cantwell will be among a long list of dignitaries in attendance at the groundbreaking ceremony for Peace Island Medical Center, Saturday in Friday Harbor.

Now in his sixth term in the House of Representatives, Congressman Larsen is scheduled to make a short statement about the new medical center as part of the groundbreaking event, which begins at 1:30 p.m. on the site of the new hospital.

Known as a “critical access hospital”, Peace Island Medical Center, which will be built and operated by PeaceHealth, will feature 10 beds, a clinical lab, diagnostic imagery, short-stay surgery, an outpatient procedure area and 24/7 emergency room care.

Prior to the groundbreaking ceremony, Sen. Cantwell and Larsen will host a community forum regarding the proposed designation of BLM lands in the San Juans as a National Conservation Area. The 90-minute forum begins at 11 a.m. in the San Juan County Legislative Hearing Room, 55 2nd Street in Friday Harbor.