(WWJ) The Suburban Collection Showplace has been selected as the second field hospital in Michigan to expand medical capacity during the state’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.

One-thousand beds for COVID-19 patients will be made available at the convention center, located along I-96 in Oakland County's Novi, which provides 250,0000 sqare feet of space, officials announced Monday evening.

“We are uniquely positioned to be able to support this effort and the fight against COVID-19. We feel it is important to serve as a resource to the state and the community in these times of need,” said Blair Bowman, Owner of the Suburban Collection Showplace.

Just like at the TCF Center in downtown Detroit, the state is working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, to coordinate funding and execution.

“This is more good news for Michiganders in our fight against COVID-19,” said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “Having access to more medical facilities and more space for health care professionals to perform their life saving work means we are more able to slow the spread of COVID-19. Fighting this virus is going to take all of us working together as Michiganders, and I want to thank everyone who has stepped up to volunteer at a health care facility or donate blood, money, or medical supplies. We will get through this.”

TCF Center in Detroit which is set to open late this week, Whitmer said.

In addition to TCF Center and the Suburban Collection Showplace, other locations in Michigan are under consideration for future expansion, based on anticipated need.

A timeframe on when an for an alternate care facility at the Suburban Collection could be operational has yet to be released.