Peoria Times - 02.11.2021

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Valleywise Health opens in Peoria PAGE

WESTMARC tackles WV growth

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February 11, 2021

Cactus League scrambles to resolve ticket sales BY GARETH KWOK Cronkite News

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With Major League Baseball pitchers and catchers expected to report in two weeks, Cactus League teams are scrambling to determine what Spring Training will look like for fans in 2021. The league announced it is preparing for an on-time start to Spring Training and opening day as originally scheduled after the Players Association rejected the league’s proposal to delay the start of both by a month. Some Cactus League teams

have yet to offer Spring Training tickets for upcoming games on their team websites, and a recording at Camelback Ranch, the home of the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Chicago White Sox, said ticket sales “are undetermined at this time.” A link on the website allows fans to sign up for a wait list. Salt River Fields, the home of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies, aborted ticket sales just as they were about to go public. The Chicago Cubs did send Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Madison Bumgarner practices during the 2020 Spring Training season, which was cut short.

SEE BASEBALL PAGE 5

(Photo by Sarah Sachs/Arizona Diamondbacks)

Full-service hospital coming to Peoria

SPORTS......... 13 Local athlete looking to excel at Iowa college

OPINION...................8 BUSINESS...............10 SPORTS...................13 FEATURES...............15 RELIGION................18 YOUTH....................20 CLASSIFIEDS...........21

BY ALLISON ENGSTROM Peoria Times Staff Writer

On Feb. 2, the Peoria City Council unanimously approved $130 million in bond money for the municipality’s first full-service hospital. Peoria Regional Hospital will be located at 26320 N. Lake Pleasant Parkway between Jomax and Happy Valley roads. “The city of Peoria is thrilled to welcome Peoria Regional Hospital as our first full-service hospital and the latest addition to our growing advanced health care industry,” said Mayor Cathy Carlat.

“It’s vital that all residents have access to quality medical care close to home; and, with the new jobs this facility will bring, I am grateful for the widespread impact this hospital will have on our community.” Construction on the hospital building is expected to begin in April 2021 with it opening its doors in late 2022. The hospital is projected to bring over 150 jobs to the area. A half-finished foundation on the site for a former project that ran out of funding was long considered an “eyesore.” It has been cleared, leaving an empty lot where the hospital is planned.

“For years, this site sat dormant, and now it’s being utilized to provide much-needed, specialized medical services and infrastructure updates to the rapidly growing North Peoria area,” said Mesquite District Councilmember Bridget Binsbacher. The financing for the project comes from bonds that will be passed through Industrial Development Authorities. Peoria Economic Development Services Director Rick Buss explained this is not an unusual way for hospitals to be financed. Dignity Health, Banner Health and HonorSEE HOSPITAL PAGE 4


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