Back Hospital project advances despite winter weather Construction site at hospital blanketed in snow By Joe Smillie Despite the onslaught of snow, work is progressing on the $19 million remodeling of Whitman Hospital and Medical Center. Garco Construction Supervisor Gary Coning said the first phase, which involves the new addition to the hospital, is about 30 percent finished. Garco was awarded the contract on the hospital job last May, after two rounds of bidding. Coning said work on the hospital will continue right through winter as long as temperatures remain moderate. “Unless it goes below zero”, said Coning. “Then we’ll have to re-evaluate at that time”. Recent deposits of snow on the Palouse have forced construction crews to slow down their pace, but has not caused any major delays, Coning said. Hospital officials said although the snow has slowed the construction, the steady pace of construction thus far will make up for any delays. “The last month, especially, has gone very smoothly,” said Hospital Administrator Jon Davis. “With minimal change orders and Garco’s rapid pace we’re moving right along”. The two-phase project will add a 48,000 three story wing to the hospital, in addition to remodeling of a large portion of the existing hospital. Garco crews have poured concrete for the basement and main floor of the new addition and have erected shafts for an elevator and stairway. The basement of the addition will be home to the physical therapy, dietary and maintenance departments. An expanded emergency room, radiology, respiratory therapy and the hospital’s laboratories will be on the main floor. Rooms for surgery and natal care units will be on the addition’s third floor. “in the end, I think we should have a superb facility for the folks that are seeking our services,” said Davis. Voters in the hospital district in September 2006 approved a $13.6 million general obligation measure to fund the expansion and remodeling of the hospital. Those bonds were issued for a 20 year period. The remaining cost will be paid out of revenue bonds, which will be repaid through the hospital’s operating profits. Those bonds will also be repaid over 20 years. Back