Sinkhole opens up near Bayfront Health's Brooksville hospital

BROOKSVILLE — A large sinkhole opened up by Bayfront Health Brooksville hospital in a water retention pond between State Road 50 and the hospital's parking lot, according to a hospital spokeswoman.

The sinkhole poses no threat to hospital buildings, emergency management services or other hospital operations, said spokeswoman Jennifer Siem said. She added that there is no risk to SR 50.

The sinkhole is estimated to be 25 feet in diameter and 20 feet deep, Siem said. Coastal Engineering was also monitoring the hole to make sure it does not grow and will determine what to fill it with, she said.

Hospital officials said they don't know exactly when the sinkhole formed near the facility at 17240 Cortez Blvd.

Bayfront has endured other sinkholes, Siem said, but she could not offer an specifics as to how many or their locations.