“It’s been a great spring for us.”
That’s Nate Timmons, Assistant Superintendent from Graham Construction, describing the progress on the CCMH Expansion and Remodeling Project.
“We’ve made a lot of headway over the last couple of months. The pleasant weather has certainly allowed us to hit the ground running, especially with the outdoor paving for the rural health clinic addition. About half of the parking lot is already complete, with the rest awaiting materials.”
Beyond the Walls
Timmons says people tend to forget how much wiring and plumbing is hidden within the walls of any structure.
“When the drywall isn’t on the walls, and you don’t have the ceilings installed yet, you get to see everything that makes the building function. You get to see the electrical conduits, ductwork, and all the pipes in the walls. It’s exciting because many people never get to see what truly makes a building tick once the ceilings, drywall, and paint are in place.”
More Than Meets The Eye
It’s always difficult to gauge the progress on a project from the outside Timmons noted.
“Construction started in August last year. For a long time, all anyone gets to watch is workers running around, moving dirt, and getting things ready. Slowly, as we came into the past winter, you’re like, ‘Okay, there’s something you can sort of start to see.’ Now we’ve got a full-on building that you can see as you drive by. You get to see the brick going up. It’s fun to see what the final product is going to look like and how that ties into the existing hospital.”
Visualizing the Transformation
One of the most noticeable advancements is the exterior facade of the rural health clinic.
“Seedorff Masonry is doing a fantastic job, and the results are wonderful to see. The brick work features a couple of different styles of modular brick, and about three-quarters of that work is already done. We’re on-time and on-budget. Both of those things together makes for a successful project.”
What’s Next? Navigating Change and Collaboration
As the project gets completed in stages, Timmons says outpatient and clinic services will be adjusted accordingly.
“Sometime in August, Rehab Services will move back to the hospital from its current location on Arrowhead Drive. This strategic move ensure a smooth transition without noticeable breaks between areas. Over the next couple of months, as Rehab Services moves back in, you’ll start to see how these spaces come together. For patients, it’s important to be aware that as Rehab Services relocates from its temporary location, there will be a lot of activity with temporary walls going up and coming down, and different configurations. This may lead to slight changes in traffic patterns within the building. Nonetheless, it’s all a sign of progress, meaning more space will be given back.”
Gradually, Then Suddenly
Timmons notes that time seems to be flying by.
“It’s amazing that we’re already 11 months into this project. It feels like it just started yesterday. In fact, we started last August, and now we’re nearing July. The time has absolutely flown by. I’m constantly looking at my pictures. I take progress pictures of the project every week. That’s my gauge to know that we’re moving at the right speed. It surprising, even to me, when I look back at old photos and see how much has changed in just a few months.”
Trade Partners Make The Difference
One of the pleasant surprises about the CCMH project are the invaluable contributions of trade partners on the project.
“It was great to see how quickly and easily all of our subcontractors made themselves available. Despite all the questions, discussions, and issues that arise in any project, they’ve consistently been able to solve them and keep moving forward. This speaks volumes about the incredible trade partners have truly bought into the project’s plan. Given the complexity and the significant amount of space being remodeled or added on, their dedication and available workforce have been invaluable.”
Check back often for additional updates on the CCMH Expansion and Remodeling Project!
