NAMPA (KTVB) – Saint Alphonsus today announced they plan to build a new $80 million hospital near Interstate 84 and Garrity Boulevard in Nampa.

Officials say the new 240,000 square foot facility will replace Mercy Medical Center.

"When the current hospital location in Nampa opened in 1968, it was known as Mercy Medical Center. Since that time we have seen over a 300% increase in population in Canyon County, and immeasurable progress in the area of medical technology, treatments, and services," said Karl Keeler, CEO of Saint Alphonsus in Nampa and Ontario. "We want to respond to these new ways of delivering care, in order to provide the vital services that a growing community deserves."

The decision to build what is being called a "replacement" hospital was made after a long evaluation process that started in 2006 and included input from physicians, board members, consumers, administrators, clinicians and community leaders.

Ultimately, the decision came down to location with the site at I-84 and Garrity providing improved access to a growing population.

Rodney Reider, President and CEO of Saint Alphonsus Health System says the healthcare landscape has changed a lot since Mercy Medical Center opened.

"This new facility in Nampa will meet the needs and desires of today's healthcare consumer; offering high-caliber physicians, equipment, and services - all at a convenient location," said Reider. "This is also a step in the right direction for keeping long-term costs in check for patients through increased efficiency in staffing, infrastructure, communications, and healthy outcomes."

The hospital is an expansion onto the current Saint Alphonsus Medical Center at I-84 and Garrity Boulevard campus. When completed, it will offer a total of 100-beds and a complete range of healthcare services and providers.

The new facility will feature a complete diagnostic center, 6-suite surgical operating theatre, pre/post-operative holding and recovery rooms, a 10-bed short-stay observation unit, spacious and private patient rooms, and an 18-bed intensive care unit.

The project is expected to create 250 to 300 construction jobs over a two-year period.

The new hospital is scheduled to open by the summer of 2017.

Mercy Medical Center will remain open until all services can be transitioned into the new hospital in 2017.

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