Hospital begins Trinity Mountain Clinic expansion

Elmore Medical Center announced that on June 18 construction will begin on the project to expand Trinity Mountain Family Practice Clinic located at 465 McKenna Dr.

The expansion project for the clinic is expected to take 200 days, and has a budget of $1,428,000 with construction costs at $1,043,000. The remaining budget funds will be used for the cost of furniture and equipment for the clinic. An additional 4,246 square feet plus front end remodeling, a waiting area, a front office area and parking are included in the expansion project.

The hospital entertained four bids before awarding the project to C2 Construction owned by John Cristobal. "He's local and that's important because we wanted it (the construction company) to be local, but you never know when going to bid. (We are) very pleased John got the bid," said Greg Maurer, Elmore Medical Center Administrator.

"After the bond election last August failed the plans for Trinity Mountain Family Practice Clinic were pulled out of the hospital expansion plan," said Maurer.

Because of the urgency to continue with the clinic's plans due to new doctors arriving and needing more space, the hospital chose the option of a Judicial Confirmation process, rather than going out for a vote on the small amount of money needed for the project, said Maurer.

In December 2006, the hospital sent a petition to the District Court, and it was approved in January/February 2007. The expansion project was seen as ordinary and necessary for the Hospital District to incur debt for this project.

Elmore Medical Center "borrowed (money) from a financial institution and will repay the loan with hospital revenue. It is not paid by tax money," added Maurer.

Extending the clinic meant removing the softball field at the corner of McKenna Drive and North 4th East. "The city has already removed the backstop and bleachers (from the field)," said Maurer, "and the clay from the in-field also will be removed."

The equipment removed from the field has been taken to Legacy Park where it was used to help build a softball field for the 8- to 10-year-old girls' softball league, said Stan Franks, Parks and Recreation Director.

The expansion of the clinic will make room for new doctors like Dr. Scott Baldridge from the Mountain Home Air Force Base Hospital. "He will be separating from the Air Force, but him and his wife would like to stay in Mountain Home," said Doreen Krabbenhoft, Development Director of Elmore Medical Center. Baldridge will join the other clinic doctors on July 10. He is a family practice physician who also will provide obstetrical services.

"The clinic will remain open during the construction," said Krabbenhoft.

Trinity Mountain Family Practice Clinic provides a variety of medical services that include; family medicine, internal medicine, pediatric care, obstetrics and gynecology and physical exams Monday through Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information call 587-9703.