Picture this: An artist’s rendering of a proposed hospital in Chilton County was based on the design of a hospital in St. Clair County.

An artist’s rendering has been released to show what a proposed hospital in Chilton County could look like.

The rendering depicts a facility similar in scope to the previous hospital in the county, Chilton Medical Center, Kevin Flynn, Vice President Regional Growth for St. Vincent’s Health System, said in an email message.

“The exact size and number of beds for a proposed hospital have not been determined,” Flynn said. “The size and scope of the facility will be dependent upon the results of a more detailed analysis and assessment of community needs.”

Chilton Medical Center closed in October 2012, leaving the county without a hospital.

Since then, the Chilton County Hospital Board has worked to promote the opening of a hospital in the county.

The board, which recently has been re-classified as the Chilton County Healthcare Authority, has entered into an agreement with St. Vincent’s for the operation of the proposed hospital.

Construction of the proposed hospital depends upon a countywide 1-cent sales tax increase winning approval first with the Chilton County Commission, then with the state Legislature and finally with Chilton County voters.

Local officials, including the county’s legislative delegation, have voiced support of the proposed facility.

Flynn said the rendering of the proposed hospital was based on the template of the new St. Vincent’s facility in Pell City and modified to reflect the estimated scope of the Chilton County project.

“A final design would uniquely address the size and services needed in Chilton County,” he said.

No renderings of the inside of the facility have been produced.

The rendering was produced by Birchfield Penuel and Associates Architects, based in Birmingham. Flynn said Birchfield designed the St. Vincent’s-affiliated hospital in Pell City.

Allen Payton with the the healthcare authority said the group is not contractually obligated to use Birchfield for the design of the proposed hospital.

Construction documents would be developed after the planning process is complete, Flynn said.