It’s just a 44-acre plot with a few concrete slabs, but even in its infancy UCHealth Longs Peak Hospital is making an economic impact in the Longmont community.
“We’re already seeing evidence of this in increased interest and development activity in the surrounding area of the hospital,’’ said Jessica Erickson, CEO of Longmont Economic Development Partnership, during the hospital’s May 18 groundbreaking ceremony. “This promises to bring more jobs, more amenities, more services and more housing that is in great need here in Longmont.”
The UCHealth Longs Peak Hospital and an ambulatory surgery center will span 212,000 square feet on the northwest corner of Colorado Highway 119 and Country Line Road.
The full-service hospital is expected to open in 2017. It will contain 53 inpatient beds with room to expand to more than 100. The hospital will feature an intensive care unit, a Level III trauma center and emergency department, operating rooms, advanced cardiac services and a surgery center.
In addition, UCHealth will be offering several services that are new to the Longmont area, including an enhanced birthing center to care for babies born at 32 weeks, bariatric surgery, less-invasive sinus surgeries, endoscopic ultrasound to diagnose gastrointestinal and lung diseases, advanced neurologic care, advanced orthopedic surgeries, vascular surgery and advanced telehealth services.
“This area of our state is growing rapidly, and we’re proud to bring a new hospital to the area to serve patients,” said UCHealth President and CEO Elizabeth Concordia. “We’re extending the proud, 110-year tradition of the Longmont Clinic and putting patients first. This new medical center will provide advanced care, close to home, while also ensuring an excellent patient experience.”
The construction of the hospital is expected to generate approximately 500 construction jobs. More than 250 new, permanent jobs will be created when the hospital opens next year.
“Today, we are surrounded by dirt and cranes. But with the help of this fine crew and hundreds of others who will have a hand in building this legacy, in about one year, we’ll be standing here amid a state-of-the-art facility designed for efficiency, safety, convenience and comfort,” said Dan Robinson, CEO of UCHealth Longs Peak Hospital.
An estimated $1.2 million will be spent in Longmont on construction materials and services related to the hospital project, in addition to nearly $30 million in total construction job payroll and benefits, according Erickson. Once the hospital is up and running, she added, its annual payroll will be more than $13 million and the indirect local economic impact will be more than $4 million in additional annual local spending.
Haselden Construction is the general contractor on the project and is supported by Affiliated Engineers Inc., BHA Design, Inc., JVA Consulting Engineers and Project One Integrated Services and WHR Architects.
The architecture will convey a memorable brand identity with a timeless character, according to WHR Architects’ lead designer on the project, Tushar Gupta. “WHR’s design team is proud to collaborate with UCHealth to create an innovative, welcoming, and healing environment for the community,” he said.