BRUNSWICK – Mid Coast Hospital hopes to move forward on a $22.5 million plan to expand the number of beds, increase the capacity of the emergency room and add 4,300 square feet of diagnostic imaging space.

The hospital, which filed a letter of intent with the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, based the cost of the project on its anticipated completion date of 2010, said Mike L’Abbe, Mid Coast communications director

Mid Coast Hospital received a license for 104 beds in 1991 when Bath Memorial Hospital merged with Regional Memorial Hospital in Brunswick.

The license survived a court challenge but a $32.5 million cap reduced the number of beds to 74 when the hospital opened in late 2001.

“It quickly became obvious that we needed the expansion because we’re at capacity today. As we continue to grow in the community and as the population of this community gets older, it’ll mean a greater demand on hospital services,” L’Abbe said.

Because the projected price tag exceeds $2.4 million, the state must review the proposal and grant the hospital a “certificate of need.” The hospital must submit a formal application to the state by Dec. 15.

Construction would likely start in spring 2008 at the earliest, if plans are approved, said Herbert Paris, Mid Coast president and CEO.

The extra hospital beds would be created by adding another floor to the hospital, while the emergency room expansion and digital imaging space would be located adjacent to those existing spaces, Paris said.