New Wellen Park ER center to break ground

WELLEN PARK — Hospital officials and the city of North Port are preparing to celebrate the construction of a state-of-the-art emergency center in Wellen Park.

HCA Florida Englewood Hospital announced the groundbreaking ceremony for its planned freestanding emergency center at Tamiami Trail and Preto Boulevard.

The ceremony is set for 11 a.m May 1 at the site, 7070 S Tamiami Trail.

When completed, the 11,300-square-foot freestanding emergency department will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and is expected to serve more than 10,000 patients annually, according to HCA.

The facility will feature 11 exam rooms and offer full-service emergency care, including laboratory, X-rays, CT scanning and ultrasound capabilities.

HCA Florida Englewood Hospital Chief Executive Officer Joe Rudisill and North Port City Manager Jerome Fletcher are expected to be among those taking part in the celebration.

The new $26 million emergency center is anticipated to open in spring 2025.