After nearly three years of town pleas for a clinic, the Magnolia area could see an outpatient medical clinic opening soon.

In a town hall meeting held March 10 at the Montgomery County Pct. 2 Community Center, Director of Montgomery County Community Development (MCCD) Joanne Ducharme stated they had contracted Thompson Consulting President and CEO Fred Thompson to conduct a feasibility study. The study will determine if an outpatient medical clinic is necessary for Pct. 2, which includes Magnolia, Pinehurst, Stagecoach and other smaller areas.

Thompson said the information collected will determine if indigent and uninsured residents could benefit from the clinic.

Although the study will continue for an additional four to six weeks, Thompson said the current evidence gathered shows the need for a clinic in the area.

“All evidence so far points to the need (for a clinic),” he said.

He reported that the number of economically disadvantaged students in Magnolia ISD has risen each year.

MISD Director of Student Services Matt Clark spoke at the meeting, adding that the district has about 12,000 students currently enrolled, 41 percent of whom are classified as economically disadvantaged.

Thompson added that research shows the population in Pct. 2 has had a 91 percent increase rising from 72,000 residents to 138,000 in 2010.

Ducharme said the idea for the outpatient clinic began in 2008. MCCD began saving funds for the project in 2009 and now MCCD will be able to move forward with the project once results from the study are received.

“It has taken a while to get here,” she said.

Ducharme said the clinic was originally to be an addition to the Montgomery County Pct. 2 Community Center on Friendship Drive. However, surveyors determined that the septic system could not support an outpatient facility.

According to Ducharme, Pct. 4 Constable David Hill is allowing the previous District 4 office located on Friendship Drive to be a potential location for the outpatient clinic.

The building is 7,700 square feet and is also using a septic system, but Ducharme said she has spoken with the City of Magnolia about connecting to the city’s utility lines.

Another factor is finding an organization to operate the facility, according to Ducharme. TOMAGWA and Lone Star Family Health Center have already shown interest she reported.

She added that once a Request for Quotation  is submitted many other organizations could apply.

Even though the feasibility study is nearly completed, Ducharme said it could take as long as a year to open the facility, because attaching to the city’s utility lines is the longest process of the project.

Residents were able to make suggestions for what the facility should offer and make general comments about the project.

Magnolia resident James Barry, supporter of the clinic, said residents should not have to travel to Tomball for minor emergencies.

The proposed center of Magnolia is 16 miles from Tomball Regional Hospital and 24 miles from Memorial Hermann Hospital in The Woodlands, which are the two closest hospitals.

Another resident of the county, Dan Porter expressed concern that the facility may be too small and suggested MCCD look into a larger building.

“8,000 square feet will be over run on the first day,” he said.

Ducharme said that Pct. 4 has a facility approximately 5,000 square feet and sees 52,000 unduplicated clients each year.

Thompson also explained that the issues of Pct. 2 and the dense population are going to be factors of the study.

“This area is more densely populated (than Pct. 4),” he said. “Size issue and usage issue are things we will be looking into.”

Thompson said residents should see the results of the feasibility study soon.

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