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AdventHealth buys 27 acres near The Villages to build free-standing ER

FRUITLAND PARK, Fla. — AdventHealth announced plans on Thursday to build a free-standing emergency room near The Villages.

Officials said AdventHealth bought 27 acres in Fruitland Park at the intersection of County Road 466A and Colony Boulevard where they’ll build a 19,000-square-foot ER.

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The facility is set to have 24 patient rooms, including two pediatric-friendly rooms.

“This is one of the fastest growing areas in Florida and our new ER will help ensure the community has close and convenient access to the high-quality compassionate care they deserve,” said Abel Biri, president and CEO of the AdventHealth North Lake County and South Sumter County market.

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In the future, officials said the property could also include outpatient medical facilities, such as a surgery center or medical office building for physician offices, as well as outpatient services.

Construction on the freestanding ER is anticipated to start in early 2024 and be completed by early 2025.

Read: ‘Be a Mindleader’: AdventHealth program works to help improve youth mental health

Officials said the project is estimated to create 300 construction-related jobs, and about 100 full-time jobs when it opens.

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Sarah Wilson

Sarah Wilson, WFTV.com

Sarah Wilson joined WFTV Channel 9 in 2018 as a digital producer after working as an award-winning newspaper reporter for nearly a decade in various communities across Central Florida.