On Monday, July 20, the Orange Park Medical Center will be opening an 18,200-square-foot expansion: a new cafeteria and kitchen with indoor and outdoor dining.
The expansion is part of a $126 million project that began in June of 2019.
“We’re excited to provide this beautiful space for visitors and staff to step away and relax,” said Food and Nutrition Services Director Leann John in an email to WJCT News.
Orange Park Medical Center serves 1,800 meals a day to patients, visitors and staff.
The new Orange Grove cafeteria was named by the Orange Park Medical Center employees. It will offer gluten free, diabetic and vegetarian options, as well as a “you choose” style menu for patients.
The food and nutrition services team of over 60 includes dietitians who provide input into menu selections for the special diets required for a variety of medical conditions.
John said the hospital will continue to have some limitations in the way it can display and serve food in the new cafeteria, due to COVID-19 precautions.
Once the restrictions are finally lifted, a pizza oven, grill selections, soft serve ice cream, deli options and salad bar will also be available.
Construction on the dining and kitchen space took twelve months and cost $9 million, according to the hospital.
The remainder of the $126 million project includes a new tower that will include 48 rooms for medical and surgical patients. The new rooms will bring Orange Park Medical Center’s total number of licensed beds to 365.
Orange Park Medical Center is part of the for-profit HCA Healthcare chain.
