Freestanding ER headed to south Sarasota County

A new freestanding emergency room is coming to south Sarasota County. Officials from the city of North Port and HCA Florida Englewood Hospital broke ground May 1 on the facility, which is expected to open in spring 2025. Called Wellen Park Emergency, the center will cost $31 million to build.

The emergency department will be located at 7070 S. Tamiami Trail off Preto Boulevard. It will be 11,300 square feet with 11 exam rooms and full-service emergency care, including X-ray, CT scan, ultrasound and laboratory capabilities, according to a statement from HCA Florida Englewood Hospital.

Open 24 hours a day, the new emergency center is expected to serve more than 10,000 patients a year.

“We want to thank HCA for making such a significant investment in our community,” North Port City Manager Jerome Fletcher says in a statement. “We are lucky to have such a reputable company planting its flag here in North Port. Its presence is going to have a huge impact on our local economy and quality of life and will help to create a booming health care industry in our city.”

HCA Florida Englewood Hospital, which celebrates its 40th anniversary next year, is constructing the freestanding emergency center as part of its commitment to serving residents in Sarasota and Charlotte counties, which are experiencing growth, according to the statement.

"Today, we have taken another step forward to expand access to high-quality emergency care in the rapidly growing south Sarasota County region," HCA Florida Englewood Hospital CEO Joe Rudisill said in the statement. "From emergency care to hospital care, we will continue to build to match the community's health care needs as it grows."