MEEKER I The Pioneers Medical Center replacement facility project is under way. Of course, before the actual construction phase, there are several steps that must be completed. Currently, Pioneers is in the design phase. This phase includes selecting the architects for the design, layout and space allocation for the entire healthcare facility, which includes Meeker Family Health Center, the Walbridge Memorial Wing, Pioneers Hospital and ancillary services.
Seven architect firms from across the country submitted Request for Qualification Proposals for the project. Every firm that submitted, was highly qualified with both healthcare and critical access hospital experience. Davis Partnership Architects, a Denver-based firm, was selected. Davis was selected for their experience in Northwest Colorado. Recently, they have worked to design Rangely District Hospital, Grand River Medical and Yampa Valley Medical.
“We were thrilled to find a Colorado-based firm which has working knowledge of our region,” said Mike Hoke, Pioneers board member. “Davis is Colorado-based and uses Northwest Colorado and Colorado-based sub-contractors, which gives them in depth knowledge of our soils and other important issues.”
Additionally, during this time, Pioneers will work with the Town of Meeker and the Meeker Sanitation District, and any other appropriate organizations, to design the utility infrastructure. “We hope that PMC can partner with other area entities, to design and implement the full utility needs for the new medical facility, Curtis Creek Industrial Park, and future economic growth in this area,” said Ken Harman Pioneers CEO. “We have identified the costs for the hospital portion of the utilities and roads and are prepared to contribute that to the bigger project,” continued Harman. Pioneers hopes to begin the construction phase for the utility lines in the fall of 2013.
“We are excited to have the project under way,” says Paul Sheridan, president, Pioneers Board of Directors. “Continuing to provide quality healthcare that meets our residents’ needs, is our purpose. The new facility will allow us to improve care and expand services. Because of strong finance practices, Pioneers will build a state of the art facility using existing revenues.”
You may have questions throughout this process. Please call Ken Harman, or any of the Pioneers board members: Paul Sheridan, Diane Dunham, Todd Young, Mike Hoke, Terry Goedert, Steve Parr and Richard Ellsworth.