Banner Health will open its first medical facility in the Town of Queen Creek on May 1, with the Banner Health Center offering primary care, basic imaging and lab services for adults and children. Kitchell served as general contractor.

The Center, at 21772 S. Ellsworth Loop Rd., will join Banner Ironwood Medical Center in San Tan Valley in providing medical services to the region.

Staff physicians will include a family practitioner and pediatrician, with more physicians already planned as the center grows with community needs.

It includes 18 exam rooms, and its electronic medical records are accessible from all Banner hospitals and facilities.

“Banner Health already enjoys a great relationship with the southeast Valley community through Banner Ironwood Medical Center,” said Jim Brannon, CEO for Banner Medical Group. “We are so pleased to bring additional Banner caregivers close to home for these valued neighbors.”

The Banner Health Center in Queen Creek is the first of four in the East Valley to open after a shared ground-breaking on Oct. 25, 2012. Banner Health Center in Gilbert is scheduled to open on May 22, followed by a center in Chandler in early August and one in East Mesa in early September.

An additional Banner Health Center will open in Goodyear within the planned community of Estrella on July 10, joining the existing Banner Health Centers in Peoria/Sun City West, Surprise, Buckeye in the Verrado Community, Maricopa, and South Loveland, CO.

Queen Creek, San Tan Valley and East Valley residents are invited to attend the Banner Health Center Community Preview Event scheduled April 27 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Center.

Just the facts:

>> Project started: Oct. 25, 2012

>> Project budget: $10.7 M

>> General contractor: Kitchell Contractors

>> Architect: HMC Architects

>> Total Acreage: 11.7 acres

>> Phase I: 21,052 SF, 32 exam rooms (16 will open with the center; 16 additional rooms are being built but not yet equipped or staffed)

>> Phase II: 63,980 SF, 64 exam rooms