of priorities", the association had raised $108,000, plans drawn, and the sewer connections were made on the donated property. It was anticipated that $250,000 was needed to complete the hospital that they were hoping to build in early 1946 with a move-in date at the end of 1946. Physician superintendent Dr. Anthony J. Rourke from Stanford University hospital met with the Memorial Hospital board in early 1946 explaining that $750,000 to one million dollars was needed for the hospital construction. Rourke stated that the hospital should have at least 100 beds, and be multi-floors. The community should focus on assuring doctor and hospital fees will be paid by making sure everyone is insured calling it '"prepaid hospital care"'. He assured the board that no one is at fault for the work that had already been completed, but that "a lesser cost would be entirely inadequate the first day opened" and it was best to '"start all over"'. The board voted to engage Dr. Rourke to keep from more mistakes being made. Rourke felt that the location on Romie Lane was adequate but the building design with a layout of a star was not efficient. A three to six-floor building with elevator service and kitchen and laundry facilities in the basement would be best. $300,000 had been raised. Discussions were held on whether an attempt to raise the cash voluntarily through donations or to raise funds by bond or a tax district. A vote on a $2,000,000 bond was scheduled in April 1949. Advertisements in support of the bond stressed that the "hospital district has grown from 24,146 in 1910 to 110,000 in 1948". On April 12th, 1949 the bond was passed five-to-one with 2,619 in favor of the 2 million bond to 535 against. Pebble Beach, CA architect Robert Stanton stated that it will take him a year to draw up the plans for the 133-bed hospital, bids should go out in early 1950 with completion in 1952. It was estimated that $2.7 million would be needed, with the $2 million bond and the $300,000 in savings, plus tax collections the board is confident they will be able to pay for the hospital without government help. The Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital opened on April 20, 1953, with 138 beds and 145 employees and physicians. The hospital offered operating rooms, a physical therapy unit, pathology and radiology labs, and a pediatric