Chelan hospital Board approves schematic design concept for new building

The Lake Chelan Community Hospital and Clinics (LCCHC) Board of Commissioners voted to accept the schematic design concept for the new hospital building at a special Board meeting Oct. 1. The approval allows the team to continue forward with specific design development, explained Mike Ellis, LCCHC Interim CEO.

The LCCHC Board Facilities Steering Committee worked closely with architects and the general contractor to ensure patient needs are met in the new building, Ellis said. Increased construction costs made it difficult, but the new hospital is designed to stay within the $44.5 million budget approved by voters in 2017.

Project manager Dick Bratton, Kreg Shelby from Bouten Construction, and Keith Null and Jamey Barlet from CollinsWoerman, the project’s architect firm, attended the special Board meeting to present the revised design concept and answer questions. “These men have done a remarkable job,” said Mary Signorelli, one of two LCCHC Commissioners on the LCCHC Board Facilities Steering Committee.

Key priorities for the architects were preserving patient and staff safety, quality of care, and client care areas, said Barlet, who met often with hospital staff during the design phase. The approved schematic design, which keeps the overall building footprint as tight as possible, has two wings for patient rooms. The 59,250 square foot building will include 23 private patient beds, two operating rooms suites and a procedure room. The Emergency Department, which will be larger than what exists in the current hospital building, will have seven rooms as well as space for triage. The master plan leaves room on the site for a future EMS and medical office building.

Bouten Construction has already initiated communication with subcontractors, said Shelby. Once final construction documents are completed, subcontractors will begin bidding. The new hospital project is on schedule to break ground in Spring 2020. Expected occupancy is late 2021.

“It’s very rewarding to see the teamwork and effort staff put into the new hospital project,” said Phyllis Gleasman, LCCHC Board Chair. “Without their understanding and insight, we would not have been able to get schematic drawings where they are today. It was a total team effort, and we’re excited to move forward.”