The Project
Building The Next 75 Years
Mountains Community Health is undergoing the most significant expansion in its history.
A new acute care wing, a larger emergency department, and campus-wide seismic upgrades will position this hospital to serve the mountain for decades to come.
Why We’re Building
In 1994, California passed Senate Bill 1953, which requires all hospitals in the state to meet seismic compliance standards by 2030. Some rural hospitals have chosen not to make the investment. We chose differently.
Our original building dates back to 1951. It has served this community well, but it doesn’t meet modern seismic safety requirements, and the layout wasn’t designed for the volume of patients we see today. There’s limited climate control in parts of the facility, insufficient storage, and the emergency department needs more space and privacy for the care it provides.
We’ve been operating for 75 years, and we want to be here for the next 75. That meant making a big commitment now.
What We’re Building
The project has three phases, all designed to keep the hospital fully operational throughout construction. At no point will services be interrupted.
Phase 1
Seismic Structural Upgrades
Retrofitting the original 1951 building to meet California’s seismic compliance requirements. This is the foundation everything else is built on.
The estimated cost for seismic work alone is around $10 million.
Phase 2
New Emergency and Acute Care Departments
Construction of a new building to house emergency and inpatient care in a modern, patient-centered environment.
These new buildings will accommodate increasing patient volumes with better layout, more privacy, and space configured for how healthcare is delivered today. This phase includes dedicated triage, casting, and isolation rooms for infection control, as well as improve layouts to enhance patient safety and comfort.
Phase 3
Skilled Nursing Facility Conversion
Once acute care moves into the new wing, the existing space will be converted into an expanded skilled nursing facility. This will increase the number of skilled nursing beds to meet high demand in the community. It’s a need we’ve been hearing about for years.
The Investment
The total project cost is approximately $72 million. The project is being financed through a $48.5 million loan from the USDA.
The remaining funding will come from a combination of community fundraising, Foundation support, and the hospital district’s own resources. The Board of Directors has been working with financial advisors, project managers, and legal counsel to structure the financing responsibly.
Timeline
Design and permitting work has been underway with HCAI (the state’s healthcare construction authority, formerly OSHPD). Construction began in Spring 2026, with completion targeted across the three phases over the following years. Exact dates depend on permitting approvals and construction progress.
Throughout the entire project, the hospital will continue to operate normally. No temporary structures will be needed, and the project team is managing traffic control, pedestrian safety, and noise mitigation to minimize disruption to patients, staff, and skilled nursing residents.
What to Expect During Construction
We know construction can be disruptive, and we want to be upfront about what the community can expect.
The hospital will remain fully open and operational throughout all phases. Emergency services, inpatient care, clinics, lab, radiology, and skilled nursing will all continue without interruption.
There will be some construction noise during daytime hours, particularly during structural work. The skilled nursing facility is not being directly modified in the early phases, though residents in adjacent areas may hear overflow noise. Staff will work with residents and families to plan around the louder periods.
Parking and pedestrian access may shift at various points. Signage and staff will be available to guide patients and visitors. Additional parking logistics are being addressed as part of the overall plan.
We’ll keep the community updated with regular progress reports through our website, newsletter, and social media.
Common Questions
No. The hospital will remain fully operational throughout all phases of the project. Services will not be interrupted.
How You Can Support the Project
This project is an investment in the future of healthcare on the mountain, and community support makes a real difference. Gifts to the MCH Foundation can be directed toward the campus expansion to help offset costs and fund improvements that go beyond the core construction scope.
If you’re interested in making a significant gift, a naming opportunity, or a corporate sponsorship tied to the project, the Foundation team would love to talk with you.