Standing on the proposed location of a new Snoqualmie Valley Hospital, board members for King County Hospital District 4 and staff of Bellevue Community College formally announced their partnership for a health science campus near Snoqualmie Ridge.

“We can’t ask for a better opportunity,” said hospital board president Dick Jones, who sported a bright yellow “Vote yes on Proposition #1” sticker.

The college campus would be a side benefit to the new $70 million Snoqualmie Valley Hospital facility planned near the Highway 18 and Interstate 90 interchange.

The hospital’s move would be funded by a 30 cent levy lid lift that goes before voters Aug. 21. The campus’ future may depend on the lid lift.

“We need to see what happens here and get the support of the community,” said BCC spokesman Robert Adams.

Hospital CEO Rodger McCollum said the lid lift is the smallest portion of the funds making the new campus a reality. A loss at the polls wouldn’t be a dealbreaker, but might raise questions of whether the move should go forward.

Still, the possibility of a Snoqualmie college branch has hospital commissioners and local mayors excited.

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