Coming soon: Marketing plan for new PMH

With the opening of the new Purcell Municipal Hospital less than a month away, Purcell Public Works Authority trustees were presented a marketing plan designed to raise public awareness and excitement about the new facility.

The plan was approved by the hospital board, trustees were told at Monday’s meeting.

Sandra Payne, a marketing specialist with SSM, said the three-prong plan will rely on print advertising, billboards and social media.

In addition, the hospital’s website will be updated and will include a video tour of the new hospital.

There will be a VIP event at the new hospital on October 24, followed on October 28 by a ribbon cutting.

The hospital will officially open on November 2.

Payne said two billboards will catch the collective eye of motorists traveling I-35.

There will be one billboard each for north and southbound traffic.

One billboard will go up November 1 and remain in place through April 15. The second will go up January 2 and remain through April 23.

The campaign will also include what Payne termed a “healthy number” of newspaper advertisements in The Purcell Register, Pauls Valley Daily Democrat and Garvin County News Star.

In addition, SSM officials will be available for speaking engagements at civic clubs.

There are also plans for printing pamphlets outlining the services available at the new hospital.

Payne said SSM has budgeted $30,489 for the campaign.

With the hospital board’s approval in place, there was no need for any action by the city.

Trustees also approved a request to subsidize the new hospital at a rate of $100,000 per month for six months starting in December.

The increased funding will backfill to cover increased expenses during that period.

During the city council meeting, members tabled a decision on replacing the Rotary Playground at the lake.

There will be a special meeting later this month to decide which of three options to accept.

The council approved a preliminary plat for developing Arbors Addition on a 64-acre tract.

The development will include 181 lots, most measuring 65-by-120 feet.

Residents in the area expressed concerns about flooding precipitated by rainfall runoff from the development.

In other business, the council:

• approved three budget amendments totaling $3,082,580.53;
• approved a payment of $53,068.50 to Haskell Lemon Group for paving 3,696-by-10 feet for the Lake Trail Phase 2 project; and
• approved city ordinance amendments governing animals.