HAGERSTOWN, Md. — Brook Lane Health Services, an affiliate of Meritus Health, officially broke ground Monday, Oct. 6, on a new recreational complex for patients, residents and students served by the organization.

The project began in September with the decommissioning of the current Administration Building, which will be razed to make way for the new facility on the main campus near Smithsburg.

“This new center represents a major step forward in our commitment to holistic behavioral health care,” said Brook Lane CEO Jeff O’Neal. “Physical activity and social interaction are vital to recovery and wellness, and this facility will give our patients, residents and students the space to grow, connect and heal.”

Scheduled for completion in summer 2026, the $6 million project is being funded through a $3 million grant awarded by the Maryland Hospital Association Bond Program, matched by $3 million from Meritus Health.

The new complex will be attached to the inpatient hospital. It is designed to provide a safe, therapeutic space where individuals can engage in structured physical activity, fitness, socialization and recreation as part of their overall treatment and wellness.

Highlights of the facility include:

• A full basketball court adaptable for multiple uses, including volleyball, running and climbing
• A sensory room to support patients with neurodevelopmental disorders

The facility will be used by Brook Lane patients who have stable conditions allowing for safe recreation in the gymnasium. It will also serve as the school gymnasium for Brook Lane’s Laurel Hall School. By encouraging teamwork, building social skills, supporting cognitive and behavioral growth, and promoting better health and sleep, the facility will enrich the daily lives of those Brook Lane serves.

To learn more about Brook Lane, visit www.brooklane.org.

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Meritus Health, Western Maryland’s largest health care provider, is located at the crossroads of Western Maryland, Southern Pennsylvania and the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. The mission of Meritus Health is to improve the health of the region by providing the best healthcare, health services and medical education. As an anchor organization for the community, Meritus has 4,000 employees and serves more than 200,000 residents of the tristate region through Meritus Medical Center, Brook Lane Health Services, Meritus Medical Group, Meritus Home Health, Meritus Equipped for Life, and the Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine. More information can be found at www.MeritusHealth.com or visit our Facebook page or LinkedIn page.