Northfield Hospital Will Spend $400k to Sponsor City's Recreation Program

Northfield Hospital & Clinics will spend more than $400,000 over the next four years to fund the City of Northfield’s recreation program for the next four years.

The hospital's Board of Directors said it will guarantee $107,000 for 2013 and 2014 and the donation to $110,315 for 2015 and 2016, provided the hospital’s net operating income is at least $2 million.

The hospital has more about the decision in a press release:

The Board of Directors approved its intent to make the donation at its February meeting and approved a formal document outlining the terms of the donation March 21.

Northfield Hospital & Clinics underwrote the city’s recreation program in 2012 and wanted to provide the city some certainty of its commitment going forward.

Gina Franklin, board chair, said the plan is a responsible way to support a community wellness initiative without eroding the hospital’s ability to adequately fund its medical services, its primary mission.

“This basically aligns with the priorities we talk about in our mission statement,” said Franklin. “Our first order of business is to provide quality health care services. Our second is to promote health improvement in the communities we serve.”

The city’s recreation program is administered and coordinated by Northfield Public School’s Community Services Division.