Contact: Barry B. Conger
barry@firstbestplace.org
North Valley Hospital Partners with First Best Place
on Discovery Square Renovation
CEO Jason Spring Announces Funding to Create Health-Focused Community Center
Columbia Falls, MT—November 12, 2009 North Valley Hospital officials have unveiled a major step in the hospital’s commitment to the Columbia Falls community with the creation of the North Valley Hospital Education and Community Center at Discovery Square , a health and wellness facility in historic uptown Columbia Falls. North Valley Hospital is committing $150,000 over the next five years, toward renovation of the lower level of Glacier Discovery Square. In coming months, the facility will be upgraded into a state-of-the-art community center focused on a variety of educational programming.
The new North Valley Hospital Education and Community Center at Discovery Square will offer health classes and seminars previously only available in Whitefish. Educational opportunities will include CPR, First Aid, Healthy Living and Education on Aging courses. The facility will be a central location for blood drives, health fairs and immunization clinics. The building will include new classrooms, an elevator and a high-tech audio-visual system. The remodel will reflect the light and contemporary atmosphere at the North Valley Hospital location in Whitefish.
“We at North Valley Hospital are excited to be a charter partner with First Best Place to bring a community based health and wellness facility to downtown Columbia Falls. Not only are we excited to be investing in the ‘bricks and mortar’ process, we are equally excited to bring our resources for expanding health education and wellness to more of our primary service district, the greater Columbia Falls area,” stated Lin Akey, North Valley Hospital Board Chariman.
Glacier Discovery Square will continue to be available to community groups and clubs both during the remodel and after construction is complete.
For First Best Place Executive Director Barry Conger, the partnership with North Valley Hospital is just one part of a much larger master plan for Glacier Discovery Square and Columbia Falls as a whole.
“It’s an education-based facility bringing new learning opportunities to Columbia Falls,” Conger said. “This financial commitment demonstrates North Valley Hospital’s dedication to the Columbia Falls community and their continued support of this facility.”
The North Valley Hospital Education and Community Center represents the first piece of a phased project to redevelop the Square into a dynamic and multi-purpose facility. Future phases include the development of a modern new library and information center, as well as several other community resources.
While the hospital’s funding pushes the project into fruition, it is still $50,000 away from reaching its $350,000 total funding requirement. The First Best Place is continuing a fundraising campaign. A list of gifting options is available at the First Best Place Task Force While the hospital’s funding pushes the project into fruition, it is still $50,000 away from reaching its $350,000 total funding requirement. The First Best Place is continuing a fundraising campaign. A list of gifting options is available at the First Best Place Task Force website.
The First Best Place is a grassroots organization seeking to develop quality of life amenities in our community. The First Best Place is dedicated to maintaining the unique small-town character of Columbia Falls, while building on opportunities for outdoor adventure and economic prosperity.
www.firstbestplace.org www.twitter.com/firstbestplace www.facebook.com/firstbestplace www.nvhosp.org
Glacier Discovery Square is a project to develop a thriving multi-purpose community center in Uptown Columbia Falls. The project will be anchored by a modern community library, and will include a gallery of local heritage displays, an interpretive center focused on Glacier Park, as well as retail and commercial opportunities. Discovery Square will be the foundation of economic growth and renaissance in Uptown Columbia Falls.
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