Centegra hopes for Huntley hospital

Centegra Health System announced its plans to build a $233 million hospital in Huntley and hope with the state's approval to complete the building in 2016.

Both Centegra and Huntley officials expect the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board gives the project the green light in early 2011.

The company estimates 1,100 permanent jobs will be created at the hospital alongside 800 construction jobs.

“I'm so excited. This is something I dreamed about and talked about as a brand new trustee five years ago,” said Huntley Trustee Pam Fender. “This is a lot of jobs jobs, jobs, jobs.”

Centegra's plan is to build a 360,000 square-foot facility, which would have 128 beds, according to the company announcement.

“Although we brought outpatient and physician services to southern McHenry County, the area remains medically underserved,” said Centegra Chief Executive Officer Michael Eesley.

If approved, Centegra Hospital-Huntley will be built on the existing health care campus at Haligus and Reed roads.

“Sherman decided on Elgin. Now we are going to finally have a hospital in Huntley, which will help finally put us on the map,” Fender said.

Fender said she thinks the addition of more than 1,000 jobs and a hospital in town will help raise property values in the area and make the village more attractive to homebuyers.

The hospital's plans include an emergency department, level II nursery, a dedicated women's center, a helipad and noninvasive cardiology services, according to the announcement.

“I've always felt from the equality of life standpoint we always needed a hospital in town,” Fender said. “There's not one person in the village of Huntley who thinks this is a bad idea.”