La Pine Community Health Center Expansion Moves Forward After Delays

LA PINE, Ore. — Construction on a long-awaited wellness center at the La Pine Community Health Center is set to resume after financial setbacks earlier this year forced the project to a halt.

The medical facility, which provides care for communities across south Deschutes County, confirmed Thursday that the expansion project is moving forward once again. The new wellness center was initially scheduled to open earlier in 2025, but funding issues in March delayed progress.

The center said those financial hurdles have now been resolved, clearing the way for work to restart. However, officials did not provide a specific date for when crews will be back on site.

A Major Community Investment

The new wellness center is seen as a critical investment in healthcare access for the growing population of La Pine and surrounding areas. Once completed, the expansion is expected to provide additional space for primary care, mental health services, preventative programs, and community wellness initiatives.

The project also reflects the community’s broader efforts to ensure sustainable healthcare services in rural Oregon, where access to specialized care can often be limited.

Philanthropic Support

The wellness center project received a significant boost in 2023 from billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, who donated $1.6 million to support the expansion. The contribution played a key role in moving the project forward and has been highlighted by local leaders as a sign of the center’s importance to the region.

Looking Ahead

While a revised completion timeline has not yet been announced, health center officials emphasized that the expansion remains a top priority. Once finished, the new facility will serve as a hub for both medical and wellness services, aimed at improving overall community health outcomes.

The La Pine Community Health Center continues to serve patients throughout the delay and says it is committed to keeping the public informed as construction resumes in the coming months.

Originally reported by Central Oregon Daily News Staff in Central Oregon Daily.