Ironton’s soon-to-be dialysis center should be opened by late this year, a representative of the company said. Fresenius Medical Care is being constructed at 158 N. Second St. in Ironton at the former location of Big Lots.

The center was originally planned to open early this year, but that was postponed, according to an email from Janice Sitzlar, regional vice president of Fresenius Medical Care North Carolina and the company’s marketing representative.

“We encountered a few delays in redesigning the existing building for a dialysis facility,” Sitzlar wrote. “However, all construction efforts are currently moving forward and we are on target to open by the end of the year.”

Sitzlar said the opening date depends on the time it takes for the center to become certified by Medicare.

“There are multiple necessary steps required to open a dialysis facility, from the actual construction to the receiving Medicare certification from the state,” Sitzlar said. “Much of the timing will depend on when the facility is certified by Medicare. This process can take anywhere from several weeks to several months.”

The center will employ eight staff members initially, Sitzlar said.

“We expect our staff to grow in tandem with our patient census in order to provide the highest quality of care,” Sitzlar said. “Some employees will initially transfer from a neighboring clinic.”