It is hard to miss, the cranes and other construction equipment hanging above and around the MultiCare Covington Medical Center. Work on site is underway for the new hospital coming to town, set to open in 2017.

Glenn Kasman, president and market leader of the East Region, and Bill Robertson, president and CEO of the MultiCare Health System, spoke during the April 5 community leader luncheon at Covington City Hall.

According to their presentation, the new hospital will have 58 private inpatient rooms including Mary Bridge pediatrics and a birthing center.

It will also include three surgical suites, a interfaith chapel and family-centered care.

Kasman and Robertson reported during their presentation that roughly 40 percent of those living in south King County leave the area to receive medical attention. It is estimated that an additional 83,000 residents will be added to this area in the next 12 years, according to their presentation.

“This growing community deserves better access to care closer to home,” the presentation stated.

And among those living in south King County, roughly 45 percent are under the age of 35.

MultiCare opened its Covington Medical Center in 1993 and throughout the 90’s also opened clinics in Maple Valley, Auburn, Kent and Federal Way. And in 2012, MultiCare acquired the Auburn Medical Center and opened the doors to its free-standing emergency department in Covington.