Sarasota Memorial Health Care System announced this week that it will build a new hospital site in North Port. It will be the health system's third acute-care hospital in the region and the first hospital in the city of North Port.

Master planning and pre-construction have already begun, and if permit proceedings allow, the foundation will take shape by 2025. The hospital's cost, size and construction schedule are still being finalized; however, SMH says it will open with 100 beds and the capacity to double in size if needed.

The new North Port campus will be constructed on a 32-acre undeveloped site in the 4900 block of Sumter Boulevard near I-75. Sarasota Memorial Health Care System purchased the parcel in 2007 with a pledge from the Sarasota County Public Hospital Board to invest in the medical infrastructure needed to support a hospital in North Port.

SMH-North port will offeracute medical, surgical and specialty care, outpatient programs and diagnostic services, as well as space for educational and support programs. The facility will be hurricane-hardened with a back-up energy center.

During the three years of planning and building of this site, the hospital also plans to create an SMH-North Port Advisory Council to take feedback from nearby residents and businesses.

"Building a hospital in North Port has been part of our strategic plan and a longstanding goal of city and hospital leaders for many years," Sarasota Memorial Health Care System president and CEO David Verinder said in a statement.

North Port city manager Jerome Fletcher said the want and need for a first-class medical facility in the North Port community is palpable, and has been for many years.

"The city looks forward to hearing more about how we can support the plans and the economic development opportunities a new hospital will bring to North Port," Fletcher said.