Jefferson Healthcare and Port Ludlow Associates (PLA) broke ground May 11 on a new 4,000-square-foot health care clinic to serve Port Ludlow. PLA is to build the facility near the Village Center and lease it to Jefferson Healthcare.

“We established the first clinic in Port Ludlow almost five years ago not really sure the extent it would be utilized, but the clinic has grown in volume and community engagement year after year to the point where a much larger clinic was necessary,” said Jefferson Healthcare CEO Mike Glenn. “We couldn't be happier with the level of engagement with our service.”

The new facility would house six exam rooms, a procedure room, a consultation office, a lab-draw station and have X-ray services.

Currently, there are two providers at the clinic, Dr. Shannan Kirchner and Wes Schott, an ARNP. Glenn said the public health care agency is recruiting for a third physician.

The expectation is that the new, two-story clinic at 89 Breaker Lane, across the street from Kitsap Bank, would be ready for occupancy late this year, Glenn said. Estimated cost of construction, according to the county Department of Community Development, is $800,000.

The hospital still has a lease on a 2,300-square-foot clinic at 9481 Oak Bay Road, and Glenn said officials are working to determine what the long-term use of that clinic might be. For now, the hospital does not intend to give up the lease. Glenn said there may be other services that Jefferson Healthcare can provide to the community.

Patient visits in Port Ludlow have continued to increase in the past few years: In 2013, there were 2,455 visits. In 2014, there were 4,772 visits. In 2015, there were 3,996 visits. And in 2016, the clinic is on track to exceed 4,500 visits, Glenn said.

“It's nice to deliver on our promise, which is important,” Glenn said at the groundbreaking ceremony.

Jefferson Healthcare would have a five-year lease on the new space with a five-year option. Glenn acknowledged that at some point, it might make sense to buy the facility.

“We're renting two of three clinics in Port Townsend. We're constantly looking at what makes the most sense and in some cases, purchasing will [be an option],” Glenn said.