Centegra to host health fest in Huntley Saturday

Centegra Health System will host a Family Health Fest and touch a truck event Saturday to mark the progress in construction of its Huntley hospital.

The fest is set for 9 a.m. to noon at Centegra's Huntley campus at Reed and Haligus roads. Parking will be available at Marlowe Middle School, 9625 Haligus Road in Lake in the Hills, and attendees will be bused to the campus.

The $233 million, 360,000-square-foot Centegra Hospital-Huntley is being built off Haligus Road, between Algonquin and Reed roads on Centegra's existing health campus.

It will employ more than 1,000 people, offer 100 medical surgical beds, a women's center with 20 private obstetric rooms, and a helipad for transporting critical patients.

The hospital is 70 percent complete and the space for the new cardiac catheterization laboratory has been built, said Michelle Green, Centegra spokeswoman.

"The emergency department trauma rooms have been built and throughout the facility, drywall, paint, tile, cabinetry and countertops are going in," she said. "Outside, new trees are being installed and aquatic plants have been added to the bioswales."

Centegra, McHenry County's largest employer, has hospitals in McHenry and Woodstock. The Huntley hospital is targeted to open July 6, 2016.

Fest activities include touch a truck, a teddy bear clinic, a free bike helmet and fitting for the first 300 children (younger than 16), a rock climbing wall, "Bags to the Bones" game with McHenry County Orthopaedics, and a balloon artist.

A free backpack will be given to every family attending. Snacks and refreshments will be provided by Kona Ice. There will be an open swim session at the Centegra Health Bridge Fitness Center-Huntley outdoor pool from noon to 2 p.m. Attendees should bring their own towels to the open swim.

Registration is required for the Centegra Family Health Fest. Visit centegra.org/fest.