Banner Health Center to break ground Saturday

Banner Health Center will hold its groundbreaking ceremony on July 23 at 8 a.m. The site is at the southwest corner of Alan Stephens Parkway and Porter Road near Walmart.

The medical center will be built in phases according to the number of patient visits and growth of the city, said Nancy Neff, spokeswoman for Banner Health Care.

The first phase will build out more than 40,000 square feet, with space for as many as 18 physicians and ancillary services such as X-ray and laboratory services.

The final phase will be the construction of an outpatient surgery center. When the last phase is completed, the center will be about 87,000 square feet, Neff said.

Family practice will be the primary focus, and internal medicine for adults 65 and older will be a secondary focus. The facility will have an after-hours care center. The daily operating hours will be 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Weekend hours have not been established.

Donald Sanada, vice president of operations for the East Valley Banner Medical Group, said the first phase should be completed in spring or summer of 2012.

DPR Construction is the general contractor and Banner is managing the project. Prime subcontractors include Comfort Systems Southwest for plumbing and mechanical trades and Kearney Electrical. Neff said Banner is still in the process of awarding bids for subcontractors.

“It is up to the general contractor to review scopes and company qualification,” she said. “Where appropriate, local firms will be considered.”

Neff said it is too early to apply for a job at the new facility, but anyone can review jobs and post a resume at BannerHealth.com.