PORTLAND, Ore.— The Portland Timbers today announced a Founding Partnership with Providence Health & Services – Oregon.
At the heart of the Founding Partnership is Providence Sports Care Center, an innovative, 12,000-square-foot sports rehabilitation clinic that has been privately funded as part of the extensive renovation at PGE Park in preparation for the Timbers’ inaugural MLS season in 2011.
“We wanted to do something different and innovative for the community,” said Dave Underriner, chief executive of delivery systems for Providence in Oregon. “We believe this collaboration with the Portland Timbers raises the bar for sports medicine in the community, and that’s good for everyone from professional athletes to kids on neighborhood teams.”
Providence’s sports-specific facility will include a deep-water resistance pool, sports courts, a sports laboratory, specialized equipment and digital x-ray services on-site. The two-story clinic will be located in the southeast corner of the stadium, with the top floor overlooking the field.
“This is truly a groundbreaking relationship,” said Merritt Paulson, president of the Timbers. “The Providence and Timbers partnership is an integrated, long-term agreement that will be a tremendous positive for both sides and, more importantly, the local community.”
“This is a great opportunity to deliver our message of health and wellness,” said Tom Lorish, M.D., Providence’s chief executive for outreach in Oregon. “I look forward to carrying out our Mission in this new way, and continuing to serve those in need at all our hospitals and clinics across the state.”
About Providence Health & Services – Oregon
Providence Health & Services – Oregon offers a comprehensive array of health and education services through its eight hospitals, medical clinics, health plans, long-term care facilities and home health services. With more than 17,000 employees, Providence is the state’s largest private employer. Visit www.providence.org/oregon.
About the Portland Timbers
On March 20, 2009, Major League Soccer (MLS) awarded Portland the league’s 18th franchise to begin play in the top-flight professional soccer league starting in 2011. The Portland Timbers will mark their debut MLS season in 2011 in a significantly renovated PGE Park that will create one of the most unique and authentic soccer environments in the country. New stadium amenities will include better sightlines closer to the action, new premium seating on the east side of the field, a new KeyBank Club, the South End Deck and a team store. The Timbers have been a beloved part of the Portland sports landscape since their early beginnings in the North American Soccer League in 1975, launching the era of “Soccer City USA” in the Rose City.
