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Trinity hospital planning $15M expansion By Michael Hinman mhinman@lakerlutznews.com
The population growth in Pasco County is not expected to end anytime soon, and Medical Center of Trinity is getting ready now — even if the hospital is just three years old. HCA West Florida, which owns both the Trinity hospital as well as Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point in Hudson, is having its initial meetings with Pasco County officials ahead of a proposed $15 million expansion that could add or shift at least 50 beds. The primary target of the renovations is the hospital’s
post-partum department as well as its neonatal intensive care unit, according to documents the hospital has filed with the county.The goal is to add 36 beds, relocate 17 beds in the post-partum unit, and renovate the NICU. Later phases would include building out an additional elevator shell as well as expand the suite for patients undergoing cesarean sections. Hospital spokeswoman Mary Sommise wouldn’t elaborate on those plans. But according to what the company told county officials, MICHAEL HINMAN/STAFF PHOTO Trinity would begin its bed expan- The hospital is just three years old, but Medical Center of Trinity See EXPANSION, page 11A
already is thinking about expansion, focusing heavily on its neonatal and pregnancy services.
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It’s crunch time for annual holiday toy drive By Michael Murillo mmurillo@lakerlutznews.com
Bob Loring isn’t Santa Claus.Yet he has some 250 elves at his disposal, and he seems pretty jolly about his job. “I’m the head elf,” Loring said.“It’s a thrill. Personally it’s so rewarding. I get to work with and be around the neatest people in Pasco County.” The retired Marine doesn’t look like Kris
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Kringle, either, but he does share a common goal with the Christmas character.With the help of elves (volunteers), he distributes toys to boys and girls during the holiday season. The difference is that Loring does it in real life. Loring heads up the local Toys For Tots chapter, part of a national program that distributes toys to needy children run by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve for more than 65
years. He took the helm back in 1999, and in his first year, the group distributed toys for nearly 400 children in the Dade City area. But he knew it wasn’t enough. To expand,Toys For Tots would have to increase the number of communities it serves. Most people who donate want the recipients to live in their area, Loring said.As a result, they’ve broadened their efforts to provide a happy holiday to children in Zephyrhills, Land O’ Lakes and Wesley Chapel, as well. The donations have gone up, too. Loring expects to distribute toys to around 4,000 children this year.And the method of distributing them is almost as important as the donations themselves. See TOYS, page 11A
Community meeting set to discuss Quail Hollow boundaries By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
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A committee working on proposed boundaries for Quail Hollow Elementary School has recommended changes that also would affect the boundaries of Veterans and Wesley Chapel elementary schools. Quail Hollow is set to reopen next fall following a massive overhaul that included adding walls and doors to its formerly “open” school design. Besides having a more traditional setting for learning, the school will accommodate more students and feature the same technology found in other Pasco County schools. The students who attended Quail Hollow before it closed will be assigned to the school, said district planning director Chris Williams. After that will depend on what’s decided on the new boundaries for Veterans and Wesley Chapel schools, slated to be discussed at a community meeting Dec. 8 at 6 p.m., in the Wesley Chapel Elementary cafeteria. The Pasco County School Board is expected to consider boundaries for Quail Hollow at its Jan. 20 meeting, and make a final decision Feb. 3. The area that would shift from Veterans
FILE PHOTO
Buses will line up once again next school year when the massively remodeled Quail Hollow Elementary School reopens its doors. It was closed to create more traditional classroom spaces to replace its former ‘open’ design.
to Quail Hollow is bordered by Old Pasco Road on the west, Interstate 75 on the east, and Wesley Chapel Boulevard on the south, Williams said. For Wesley Chapel Elementary, the affected area is bordered by I-75 on the east, State Road 54 on the south, and Boyette Road on the west. See BOUNDARIES, page 11A
WHAT: Quail Hollow Elementary School boundaries parent meeting WHY: To discuss potential changes to boundaries of Wesley Chapel and Veterans elementary schools WHEN: Dec. 8 at 6 p.m. WHERE: Wesley Chapel Elementary School cafeteria, 30243 Wells Road