The 16,000-square-foot health center will cost approximately $6 million and will offer outpatient services to meet the needs of the community, including physician practices and imaging and lab services. It replaces Skating on Main, a roller skating rink.
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The property was sold last August for $950,000 and the attraction was torn down in February.
Hamilton Health Center on Main marks an opportunity for the Kettering Health Network to not only provide health care to the community, but to also enhance the community as a whole, according to Fred Manchur, the network’s chief executive officer.
“It’ll energize the other property owners, it’ll energize others to come into this community and you’ll see a vibrancy that will continue,” Manchur said.
As health care evolves, hospital construction won’t be as frequent as in years past, he said. Those that do end up being built will be different because “outpatient services is where health care is going today” and in the future, as well, Manchur said.
“This service … that we’re going to provide is going to a strong component of primary care,” he said. “You’ll have some component of specialty services, depending on the need, and then there will be other ancillary outpatient services.”
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The building, which was designed by Oakwood architect Kenneth Seidl, will be constructed by Beavercreek-based Synergy Building Systems. It’s expected to open by spring 2019.
What ends up being offered at the center will depend on what the health network determines the community needs and where there is room for growth, Manchur said.
Kettering Health Network is a not-for-profit network of eight hospitals, as well as 10 emergency department and 120 outpatient centers serving southwest Ohio.
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Besides Fort Hamilton Hospital, it operates 14 other entities in Butler County, including outpatient services and physicians in Hamilton, Middletown, Oxford, Fairfield, Fairfield Twp. and Ross Twp.
Hamilton Mayor Patrick Moeller said it will be great to have Kettering Health Network’s services “all around the town,” including on Main Street, in addition to Eaton Avenue and on High Street in the city’s downtown.
“I think it’s so important that they grow as we grow,” Moeller said. “We’re focusing on neighborhoods and all along they have been, too. They’re a real leader in putting access points close to neighborhoods.”
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