George Fox University Acquiring Adjacent Hospital

NEWBERG, OR-George Fox University is purchasing the Providence Newberg Hospital property it surrounds on three sides for $3 million. The Christian university expects to take control of the eight-acre site no later than April 2006, after all patient care functions are moved to the new Providence Newberg Medical Center. The university plans to use the property to accommodate its growing professional and graduate programs, either by renovating the 58,900-sf main hospital building or by constructing new facilities on the site. The sale also includes five auxiliary buildings.As part of the purchase agreement, the future George Fox Nursing Learning Lab will bear the Providence name.The hospital became available for purchase when Providence Health System began the process to construct a replacement hospital in east Newberg. The new hospital will more than double the size of the current hospital.The property is located at 501 Villa Rd. With its purchase, the campus will expand to 85 acres. Last year, Newberg business owners Ken and Joan Austin in 2003 announced their intention to donate an additional 24 acres of undeveloped land for future outdoor athletics fields. George Fox has experienced record enrollment for 17 consecutive years, growing from 549 in 1986 to 2,913 last fall.The purchase price will be paid when the university takes control of the site, which will occur no later than April 1, 2006. George Fox plans to fund the purchase through solicitations of grants and private gifts.Providence Health System’s development of Providence Newberg Medical Center is on track to open December 2005. The new $58-million campus will include a two-story hospital and a three-story doctor’s office building.