Carilion Clinic will buy a portion of Christiansburg’s Huckleberry Park to build a medical facility, according to town Mayor Mike Barber.
The town council, on a 6-0 vote, approved a $5 million sale to the healthcare company at a Tuesday meeting.
Neither town officials nor Carilion released any other details Tuesday or Wednesday about what will be built.
The sale involves two parcels of land at the front of the town park nearest to Peppers Ferry Road, equaling more than five acres.
“Well, our goal all along, since we opened Huckleberry Park in 2023, was to sell one or more parcels of land to offset the cost,” Barber said after the sale was approved. The cost of the park was an estimated $18 million, according to town online information.
“Carilion Clinic has a long history of serving Christiansburg and the greater New River Valley, and we remain committed to meeting the evolving health needs of the communities we serve,” said Hannah Curtis, Carilion’s director of communications, in a Wednesday email to Cardinal News. “The land purchase finalized today marks the latest chapter in our continued investment in the region.”
She added: “While plans for the property have not been finalized, any future use would align with our mission to improve the health of our communities and expand access to care.”
Initial discussions with Carlion about the park property began in the winter of 2025, according to town Public Information Officer Christina Bolt. Town council first reviewed a sale and purchase agreement at an April 14 closed session before approving it — later amending it on June 9.
Barber said he is unsure about the specifics of the planned medical use but that he is confident in the impact the sale will bring to the town.
“We have no clue. All we know is that we sold to a very reputable company who’s got a major footprint throughout Southwest Virginia, and I am comfortable that the property will be put to use to benefit our citizens,” he said.
Town council member Tanya Hockett also applauded the sale.
“We wanted $5 million, that was the listing price, and they were willing to offer that,” she said. “That’s a great win for Christiansburg. That’s a great amount of money to go towards the development of the park that everyone has loved so much.”
