Progress seen at hospital

Construction Superintendent Monty Wardell says he and his team have encountered construction challenges from too much hot, dry heat, wind and dust, but they are making significant progress on the North Platte Valley Medical Center (NPVMC) during the prime building season.

Wardell, who works for Sletten Construction of Wyoming, the contractor on the project, said his crews have been installing plumbing ahead of a series of concrete pours during July and will continue to pour concrete each Wednesday until September 1.

Structural steel is being installed for the west and north wings of the hospital in early August and when this stage is complete, crews will begin exterior wall framing and continue it around the entire building.

Wardell says interior wall framing is set to begin around the middle of August. Barring unforeseen circumstances, he said the hospital is on schedule to open its doors in August 2022.

The NPVMC will be a comprehensive facility that will provide 24/7 emergency services, advanced imaging including CT, ultrasound, and digital mammography; a CLIA-certified lab; and exam rooms for visiting specialists as well as physical therapy, trauma and acute-care hospital rooms. The new medical center will also provide modern long-term care for seniors and others who need rehab close to home.