At its July 28 meeting, the board of directors of the Upper San Juan Health Service District — which operates as Pagosa Springs Medical Center (PSMC) — approved the use of up to $700,000 of PSMC’s appropriated reserves, if needed, to complete renovations and operationalize the district’s east emergency medical services (EMS) building in the downtown.
The board also approved a transfer of $566,000 from the PSMC Foundation to PSMC for the project.
“This is a big deal,” board member Wayne Hooper said during discussion on the matter.
The resolution outlines the history of the EMS use of the building, explaining that, in January 2024, the board approved the 2024-2025 Strategic Plan, “which includes a tactic to evaluate the need and viability of a second/alternative EMS station to serve the community.”
Then, in November 2025, the San Juan Rangers conveyed its interest in the building and land located at 302 San Juan St. to PSMC.
At that same time, the board authorized PSMC CEO Dr. Rhonda Webb to negotiate and execute documents to address any rights of the Town of Pagosa Springs to allow PSMC to have uninterrupted right of use of the site as long as it is used for EMS services.
At the July 28 meeting, Chief Administrative Officer Ann Bruzzese noted that PSMC can continually use the building as long as it is being used for EMS.
In November 2025, the board also authorized the CEO and PSMC Foundation to fundraise to renovate the building for 24/7 use, with PSMC receiving $566,000 in donations that could be used for the renovation.
The resolution also notes that PSMC applied for and was awarded at $100,000 matching grant by the Colorado Department of Local Affairs for the project.
The resolution further explains, “the PSMC Board approved the annual budget for 2026 before the PSMC had knowledge of the San Juan Rangers’ deed to PSMC and, therefore, seeks Board approval for the use of funds from PSMC’s appropriated reserves to commence and complete the renovation of the EMS East Station.”
The resolution outlines that the project’s architect provided a preliminary cost estimate of $1.2 million, which does not include contingency or the costs of furniture and furnishings, but that the actual costs of the renovation project will not be determined until the selected contractor, Nunn Construction, completes bids for subcontractors and materials.
“PSMC staff seek approval from the Board to proceed with the East EMS Station renovation project based upon the estimated budget, an estimated contingency of ten percent and an estimated amount for furniture and furnishings subject to a cap of $700,000,” the resolution states.
During a presentation earlier in the meeting, EMS Chief Jason Webb explained that he is hoping by the end of the year the renovation will be done and the facility will have crews in it, but recognized there may still be a few outstanding elements at that time.
randi@pagosasun.com
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