Boerne to receive its first acute care hospital

Baptist Health System has purchased a large tract of land in Boerne to build the city's first acute care hospital, an important step forward for one of the fastestgrowing regions of Texas.

The health care company announced plans this week for a $50 million investment on 23 acres along the northwest corner of Interstate 10 and Texas 46.

The planned hospital campus will include an acute care hospital with outpatient services, imaging and other diagnostic services and a medical office building for physician practices and other ancillary health care services. The hospital is expected to be completed in late 2023 or early 2024.

“The services provided will mean Boerne and surrounding residents will reduce the need to travel outside the community for care,” Matt Stone, Baptist Health System group CEO, said in a news release.

Methodist Boerne Medical Center is the only free-standing emergency center in the city. The closest hospital is 30 miles south in San Antonio.

“Our residents have asked for additional medical facilities for years, and we are excited to work with the hospital system as they embark on the process to make this much anticipated addition to our community,” Boerne Mayor Tim Handren said in the news release.

Boerne's population exploded between 2010 and 2019 and is up 71 percent to more than 18,000 residents, according to the U.S. census.

Baptist Health System operates an affiliated surgery center in Boerne. Its physicians network has primary care and specialty clinics in the city. It also has six acute care hospitals across San Antonio and New Braunfels.

In June, the health system announced plans to build a new medical campus in Westover Hills on 72 acres of land at Wiseman Boulevard and Loop 1604. The multiphased project will begin later this year and will include medical office buildings, an ambulatory surgical center and an acute care hospital, with the potential for additional medical and retail entities in future development phases.

Hospital officials said the Boerne project has received approval and funding. The system will also be working alongside area economic development leaders to ensure the project meets the needs of the community.

“This project represents a significant addition to the quality of life for the residents of the Kendall County,” Amy Story, president and CEO of the Boerne Kendall County Economic Development Corp., said in a written statement.