Submitted by the Orcas Island Health Care District.

The Orcas Island Health Care District bought the medical clinic building from the Orcas Medical Foundation, a non-profit, on Nov. 1. The purchase price was $354,441.

The district’s board of commissioners determined that acquiring the building was a necessary step in assuring the continuing availability of quality healthcare on Orcas. At the time of the purchase, the district also entered into a new lease for the building with the University of Washington Neighborhood Clinics, which operates the UW Medicine Orcas Island Clinic in the building.

Constructed in 1992 with more than $1 million in funds raised by OMF from generous island donors, the building needs a new roof, repainting and a new HVAC system. In recent years, OMF has found it increasingly difficult to raise enough money to sustain the building and support medical care on the island. Many of its most generous donors have moved off island or passed away.

The creation of the health care district was approved by Orcas voters in May to provide a stable source of funding to support health care on the island. The commissioners have earmarked funds in the 2019 budget to make the necessary repairs to the building.