Jyric Sims, president of HCA Healthcare West Florida Division,\u00a0speaks Friday at City Hall to announce plans for a new hospital in Cape Coral.<\/p>\n
CHUCK BALLARO<\/p>\n
For years, Cape Coral city officials and residents have been clamoring for a new hospital in the city. With the population now well over 200,000, it has become a necessity.<\/p>\n
Friday, at a new conference at Cape Coral City Hall, it was announced that the city\u2019s prayers are finally going to be answered.<\/p>\n
Health Care America Florida Healthcare announced plans to build HCA Florida Cape Coral Hospital, a full-service hospital that will expand access to healthcare services for residents of Cape Coral and surrounding communities.<\/p>\n
Cape Coral Mayor John Gunter said the city has always taken public safety seriously, and that residents have asked for a new hospital for years. This hospital will become a critical aspect to that safety.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is an important piece to the puzzle we\u2019re putting together,\u201d Gunter said. \u201cOne of my priorities was expanding health care in our community. My goal was to bring a second hospital to the city.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gunter tried to forge a partnership and establish economic opportunities in the city and bring higher paying jobs while broadening the city\u2019s emergency and acute-care services.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur first responders are frequently required to transport residents outside of the city for critical care,\u201d Gunter said. \u201cThis puts our residents at risk during a person\u2019s most vulnerable moments.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gunter said Lee Health did not have a new hospital in the city in its immediate plans. That\u2019s when he contacted HCA, who had already built an emergency center here, and asked if they would be interested in a partnership with the city.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe city has always had a desire to bring in a second hospital. Unfortunately, the last time we spoke with Lee Health, it wasn\u2019t in their five-year capital plan,\u201d Gunter said. \u201cI can appreciate that. Unfortunately, it wasn\u2019t in our plan. HCA was already here and thought they could be a great partner.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jyric Sims, president of HCA Healthcare West Florida Division, said Gunter was persistent and key to bringing about change in the city.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith the growing and expanding population of Cape Coral, this will be our 19th\u00a0hospital in HCA Healthcare West Florida Division,\u201d Sims said. \u201cThis is also part of a larger investment in Lee County in general.\u201d<\/p>\n
The planned hospital will be at 322 S.W. Pine Island Road, where HCA Florida Cape Coral Emergency currently operates. The project will expand the existing emergency care site into a hospital with inpatient and outpatient services to bring care to the growing city.<\/p>\n
The planned three-story hospital is slated to include approximately 200,000 square feet. Phase one is expected to include up to 100 acute care beds, an emergency department, operating rooms and a cardiac catheterization lab, with future capacity to expand as community needs grow.<\/p>\n
Planned services include emergency care, surgical services, cardiovascular services, inpatient care, outpatient services and imaging.<\/p>\n
The project represents an estimated $300 million investment in Cape Coral. Gunter said it will create at least 350 full-time jobs and boost nearby businesses.<\/p>\n
Construction is expected to begin in 2027, with the hospital anticipated to open in 2029. <\/p>\n