by Lisa Crockett

The Meadows will soon be home to a new Centura Health Hosptial, making it the first and only hospital in Castle Rock. Centura, which is Colorado’s largest healthcare system, signed an agreement to purchase 50 acres of land from the Castle Rock Development Company and plans to open the first phase of a new medical campus by the end of 2009.

“There is a significant need for healthcare services in the Castle Rock area,” said Gregory Burfitt, president and chief executive of Centura Health. “We are thrilled to be able to fill that void and expand our services to serve the needs of this important community.”

The first phase of the project will include emergency room services, imaging and laboratory services and a medical office building.

The project is sponsored by Adventist Health System, a Florida-based organization operating 37 hospitals in 10 states. Four of those hospitals: Avista, Littleton, Parker Adventist and Porter Adventist Hospitals are part of Centura Health, which is located in the greater Denver area. When completed, the entire project is estimated to cost more than $120 million.

The project will help Castle Rock achieve its goal of becoming a self-sustaining town, according to Castle Rock Mayor, Randy Reed. The project will bring hundreds of jobs to the area.

For more information, visit www.centura.org.