Bond Proposal for a New Hospital

A draft overhead view of the Three Rivers campus with a new hospital, expanded parking, and the existing Hillcrest House building. Rendering provided by architect David Franklund. Click the image to enlarge.

After 75 years of service, Three Rivers Hospital is seeking a voter-approved bond to replace our aging facility.

We have invested considerable time and money over the years to maintain our community-owned hospital, but now we have the opportunity to invest in our district’s future health care needs.

Why do we need a new hospital?
  1. A 2022 study determined that renovating would not be possible due to cost and the limitations of the existing building.
  2. Our infrastructure is well past the end of its useful life, and manufacturers no longer make parts for some of it. For example, our HVAC system.
  3. While we have made the best possible use of the space we have, we want to keep up with the growth happening in our area.

Our residents deserve a hospital that is modern, safe, and efficient.

What would a new hospital provide?
  • Modern 24/7 emergency care when you need it most
  • State-of-the-art laboratory and imaging
  • Expanded surgical services that give you more of what you need right here in our community
  • Family practice and specialty services in a comfortable clinic setting
  • Better opportunity for recruiting and retaining skilled providers and clinical staff: Creating local careers in local health care
Where would the new hospital be located?
  • Our proposal is to build on the current site of Three Rivers Hospital, at 507 Hospital Way. To accomplish this, the project is planned in two phases:
    1. Phase I: Located where the oldest part of the building is, where patient care is no longer provided.
    2. Phase II: Where the current single-floor hospital and patient care departments are located.
  • By building on our current site, our goal is to leverage our funds in a way that allows us to put patient care needs first.
How would a new hospital be funded?
  • Our Board of Commissioners approved a bond proposition for the November 7, 2023 general election. You can read the proposition language below.
  • The proposed bond is for $72 million, to be paid over 30 years.
  • The cost breakdown is $1.39 per $1,000 of assessed property value. The average home value in our hospital district is $180,000. To get the estimated tax amount, multiply 1.39 by 180. That equals about $250.20 per year, or $21 per month.
  • Our team is researching other funding options, such as grants.
  • If you are an older resident in retirement, or if you are disabled and on a fixed income, you may be eligible for exemption from this property tax if it passes. For more information, click here to read a brochure from the state Department of Revenue: BROCHURE
When would Three Rivers build a new hospital?
  • If the bond is approved in November, we would begin the design phase in the second half of 2024.
  • Construction may not begin until 2025, and both phases would take about two years to complete. Phase II would closely follow Phase I.
  • We will have more details about the timeline as we go.
What would a new hospital look like?

Here are some draft renderings from Theorem Architecture. Click each image to enlarge.

Meetings Calendar

  • Brewster

    Quad City Senior Center: 12:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 2

    Three Rivers Hospital, McKinley Conference Room: 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 11, 507 Hospital Way (entrance is by the roadway). Attend remotely:

    Join on your computer, mobile app or room device

    Click here to join the meeting

    Meeting ID: 221 112 626 658
    Passcode: XNMUVq

    Download Teams | Join on the web

    Or call in (audio only)

    +1 312-625-3555

    Phone Conference ID: 814 739 454#

  • Methow Valley

    Winthrop Chamber of Commerce: 8:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 12

    Twisp Chamber of Commerce: 8:45 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 19

  • Pateros

    Pateros School Board: TBD

  • Bridgeport

    Bridgeport Volunteer Fire Dept. & EMS: 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 4

    Bridgeport Chamber of Commerce: 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19

  • Okanogan County

    County Commissioners: 11:15 a.m. Monday, Oct. 2, 2023

Three Rivers Hospital welcomes invitations to speak to community groups, local service organizations or homeowner associations. We’re happy to provide a 15-20 minute overview of the proposal. To schedule a presentation, please contact Jennifer Best using the information below.

Media

CEO Scott Graham on KOMW’s Healthline program, Sept. 13, 2023. Click the audio player below to listen.

CEO Scott Graham on KOZI Radio, Aug. 14, 2023. Click the audio player below to listen.

Contact Us

Media: Jennifer Best, Business Development Coordinator & Public Records Officer

Administration: (509) 645-3348

Board Members: (509) 645-3348

Bond Proposition for November 7, 2023 Ballot

PROPOSITION 1

PUBLIC HOSPITAL DISTRICT NO. 1

OKANOGAN AND DOUGLAS COUNTIES WASHINGTON

(Three Rivers Hospital)

BONDS FOR NEW HOSPITAL

The Commission of Public Hospital District No. 1, Okanogan and Douglas Counties, Washington, adopted Resolution No. 2023-03 concerning a proposition for the construction of a new hospital and related health care facilities.  If approved, this proposition would authorize the District to construct, equip and furnish a new hospital and carry out other capital improvements deemed necessary or advisable by the Commission; issue no more than $72,000,000 of general obligation bonds maturing within 30  years; and levy annual excess property taxes to repay the bonds, all as provided in Resolution No. 2023-03.  Should this proposition be:

  • Approved
  • Rejected

Additional Materials

2022 Architectural and Engineering Study (available only in English)