TEMPLE, TX — In today’s climate we are more likely to see a medical facility close rather than open. But that’s not the case in Temple, where a new behavioral health facility is welcoming patients this fall.
On approximately 68,000 square-feet on the south side of Temple sits Canyon Creek Behavioral Health, a new facility that will start treating mental illnesses.
“We can’t rely on Austin, we can’t rely on Dallas to support the needs of this community,” said Robert J. Lerma, the CEO of Canyon Creek Behavioral health. “So, it’s really, why not Temple, Texas?”
The location will house over a hundred hospital-like beds, serving more than just the Temple community.
“They’re going to be able to work with obviously the local residents here in Temple. People will travel for their services, but also the soldiers over in Fort Hood,” said Tim Davis, Temple’s mayor.
After speaking with officials in the neighboring areas, Lerma said there's a huge need for their services.
“It was clear to us that there was an opportunity to really do some good here and reroute, divert people, to what we call, in our terms, away from jails, away front emergency departments to people who need them," he said.
But, the facility will do more than just treat patients. It is estimated to bring in as much as $45 million more to the local economy.
“People in the region and in the state are beginning to realize that the city of Temple is a great place to live, and it's also a great place to do business,” Davis said. “So the city is on quite a roll right now.”
For now, it’ll treat only adults, but there are plans to grow.
“We really want to do it the right way, you know, develop more confidences, build our teams together, get comfortable with the community and then we’ll slowly scale up,” Lerma said.
Adolescent, geriatric and electroconvulsive sections are also attached to the building.
The facility is looking to hire up to 300 employees in the coming years.
