Hospital to sprout new site in cornfield

More than 75 jobs promised at new health and wellness center, By John Church Hardyston — Newton Memorial Hospital announced Thursday it plans to build a health and wellness center off Route 94 in Hardyston, near the entrance to the Crystal Springs Resort. At a press conference, held in the Crystal Springs Resort rotunda overlooking Route 94, hospital officials pointed out the cornfield that will be the site of the new facility. “There will be between 75 to 100 full- or part-time positions when the center is open,” said Sean O’Rourke, Newton Memorial Hospital’s senior vice president. There were no architect drawings of the building on display as the design phase will take about six months. Planning on a year for construction, the facility should be open in 18 months, hospital officials said. The facility will offer urgent care with board certified emergency medicine physicians, varied subspecialists and general practice physicians. Vernon Urgent Care will be relocated to the new building. The Hospital has opened similar health and wellness facilities in Sparta and Milford, Pa.