| In October 2008, Mercy Health System
donated the former St. Mary's Hospital campus, which
includes six out buildings, to
the Jones Trust for the establishment of a Center
for Nonprofits. This donation provides a
unique opportunity to expand the vision of the Jones
Trust into Benton County and develop a regional
example for sustainability through the re-use of the
buildings, increased operating efficiencies, and
increased service capacity for the nonprofit
tenants. The Center for Nonprofits unites
many of the area's nonprofit programs and activities
under one roof. The Center will serve as the
hub for a diverse group of nonprofit organizations
working to better the quality of life for the
residents in the region. Among those
organizations who will call the Center home
are Youth Bridge; Experience Works; Sources; Catholic
Charities; NWACC - Culinary Institute;
Community Clinic Rogers Medical; and Saving Grace,
Inc.
The Rogers Police Department will utilize
some space for a substation.
On June 17, 2009, the
Center held it's grand opening, with Gov.
Mike Beebe in attendance.
Over the following months, several non
profit organizations will be relocating into the
facility. The
Tenants
section of this website provides a schedule
of tentative dates, along with a current
list of tenants in the Center. By
reducing the number of capital campaigns,
organizations and local funders are expected
to save at least $20 million in capital
costs by relocating
to the Center.
A budget of $8,000,000 has been
established to renovate and update the facility,
including tenant finishes. Renovation is
focused on updating the energy systems to make them
more efficient, environmentally friendly, and cost
effective, with a focus on sustainability and green
building practices:
- Replace all lighting with
energy-efficient lights;
- Replace steam boilers with
hot water system;
- Upgrade heating and air
conditioning systems;
- Expand sprinkler system
throughout the building;
- Increase building safety and
disability access.
History of the former St. Mary's Hospital
facility
(photos and copy courtesy of
Rogers Historical Museum)
The Rogers Chamber of Commerce led
the planning for Rogers’ first public hospital. The
Rice family donated funds to purchase the sixteen
acres of land on which Rogers Memorial Hospital was
built at the corner of 13th and Walnut Streets. In
1951 it came under the direction of the Sisters of
Saint Dominic and in 1979 became known as St. Mary’s
Hospital. The hospital continued to expand its
facilities and services and in 1995 it was
transferred to the Sisters of Mercy Health System
out of St. Louis. In early 2008, Mercy Hospital
moved to a new state-of-the-art medical campus just
east of Interstate 540 off of New Hope Road in
southwest Rogers, on 75 acres of land donated by the
late Evelyn Rife and family in 1998.
The history of the St. Mary's
building has been one of healing, helping and
leaning since its beginnings in the late 1950's.
At the opening ceremony this proclamation was shared
with all those in attendance: "What you see here is
not brick and mortar, but a glimpse of the soul of a
people. This is a demonstration of faith in people
that says life is sacred. In the long years ahead,
this building will be a welcome light shining in the
darkness of anxiety to countless people. It will be
a place where prayerful efforts will be made to
sustain life, where helplessness will find help when
it is most needed. Few communities have dreamed more
nobly. Fewer have worked harder to make the dream a
reality."
Dating back to when this wonderful facility was
originally founded by the City Fathers of Rogers, to
passing the torch to The Dominican Sisters and
finally to the Sisters of Mercy, this building has
continued to be a place of service and a strong
centerpiece for the community. It is our mission at
the Jones Trust to continue this long and proud
tradition. |
|
St. Mary's Hospital growing with
the community through the years:
Click on any image for a
larger view!
Rogers Memorial hospital 1951
St. Mary's Hospital 1974
St. Mary's Hospital 1974 |
