WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah — The Eccles Foundation and University of Utah Health have announced plans to build a new hospital serving the west side of the Salt Lake Valley.
A $75 million gift from the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation is making the 800,000 square foot hospital happen. The facility will be located on 22 acres of land near 3700 South and 5600 West in West Valley City.
"Truly a landmark gift, the largest in the history of our foundation," said philanthropist Spence Eccles at an event on Tuesday announcing the donation.
It will be the University of Utah's first hospital not on the mountain in Salt Lake City. U Health will also be able to shift a lot of its medical student resources toward the new hospital, expanding its offerings beyond clinics and providing at least 2,000 new jobs for the West Valley City area. Currently, west-side residents drive more than 12 million miles a year to get the university's services on the east side of the Salt Lake Valley, said U Health CEO Dr. Bob Carter.
West Valley City Mayor Karen Lang told FOX 13 News she is one of those.
"Honestly? Most of my doctors are on the east side. So they’re a 20 to 25 minute drive," she said, adding that the hospital will be a huge benefit for West Valley City and surrounding communities.
There are significant disparities between the east side and west side that University of Utah Health hopes to help address. According to U Health data, West Valley City area residents have:
- A life expectancy nearly 10 years lower than east-side communities
- Nearly two times the rate of heart disease-related deaths compared to east-side communities
- 44% higher rate of diabetes
- 38% greater prevalence of stroke
At Tuesday's announcement were members of Westside Community United, a citizen-led group that has been pushing for better health care access. Nancy Drozdek became emotional as she described the benefits of having a hospital nearby.
"This is so monumental and so emotionally amazing for us to have this over on the west side," she told FOX 13 News.
Members of the group said they have experienced differences in health care, especially coming from a majority minority community like West Valley City, said Halle Peralta.
"I do think there are some prejudices and stereotypes within treatment when I’ve gone out of the west side," said Wil Lastre.
The new hospital is expected to open in 2029.
VIDEO BELOW: Katie Eccles Burnett and Lisa Eccles speak with FOX 13's Bob Evans about the family's philanthropy
