On Monday, August 17th, the West Clermont Local (Clermont) Board of Education announced that it is partnering with Mercy Health and Midtown Health to attach a community-based health facility and doctor’s office to the new West Clermont High School. The health facility will be modeled after established Mercy HealthPlex facilities and be operated by Midtown Health which manages the other Mercy HealthPlex locations in Cincinnati.
“We are extremely pleased that our district is able to partner with Mercy Health and Midtown Health to provide these facilities at no additional cost to taxpayers,” said West Clermont Board President John Bantjes. “We have intended this new high school to be community centered since its inception in January. This project will clearly increase the community’s access to school facilities and enhance the quality of life for everyone.”
Plans for the health facility include weight and cardio equipment, a therapy pool, group exercise studios, locker rooms and a KidsFit Club. It will be strategically connected to the high school so that the school and community will share the pool and gymnasiums after completion in the fall of 2017. Design plans include the ability to separate the school from the HealthPlex during the school day for added security.
A fifteen year lease agreement between West Clermont and Mercy Health includes medical office space which will be used for primary care for the community as part of Mercy Health’s integrated care network on the East Side. Mercy Health will have naming rights of the health facility.
“This agreement expands an already successful partnership between Mercy Health and West Clermont Schools that provides student athletes with comprehensive healthcare and wellness services, including a team physician and certified athletic trainer,” said Jeff Graham, Mercy Health East Market President and CEO. “Mercy Health has long been part of the fabric of this community and this growing partnership with West Clermont Schools is another example of how we’re integrating care into the community in innovative ways to help residents be well.”
The district plans to use Midtown Health to serve as the management company for the facility when it opens.
“Midtown not only brings national expertise to run this type of facility, it also brings terrific opportunities for both the young and old,” said West Clermont Superintendent Keith Kline. “We are already discussing summer camps for kids, group exercise classes, swim lessons, fitness challenges and sports activities. Partnering with Mercy Health and Midtown allows us to expand what we can do for our community. This would not have been possible without strong school-community collaboration.”
Midtown Health President, Debra Siena, stated, “Midtown Health is delighted to partner with West Clermont schools and Mercy Health to provide the community with innovative, fun and exciting health, wellness and fitness opportunities.”
Based on demographic research, it is anticipated that health facility memberships could potentially allow the district to pay off the entire construction project early.
“Everything is going right in West Clermont,” commented Bantjes. “This is clearly a win-win for both our district and the entire community.”
In January 2015, the West Clermont announced plans to build a new 2,500 student high school that is funded through an agreement with Union Township. Costs for the health facility are included in the high school construction budget.