Community Memorial Hospital Builds on Relationships, Improves Economy | The Boldt Company

CLOQUET, MN—Phase two of Community Memorial Hospital’s (CMH) expansion and modernization project is underway, but getting to this point took the effort of an entire community working together to improve life not only for themselves, but for future generations as well.

A HISTORY OF SUCCESS

An integral group of organizations, companies, governmental units and community members dedicated to CMH’s mission joined together back in 2003 when the development of phase one of CMH’s master plan began. "We wouldn’t be where we are today without the persistence of a lot of people who are really true partners with us and for us," said Rick Breuer, CMH CEO/administrator.

Breuer gives credit for phase one’s success to a dedicated staff and committed community. Realizing the potential impact of phase one, Breuer and CMH made giving back to that committed community a priority and used local companies as much as possible during the 65,000 sq. ft. addition.

CMH completed phase one:

Phase one included a new lab, main entrance, emergency room, radiology department and pharmacy and operating, intensive care, procedure and outpatient rooms. The expansion, as is the same with the current phase, interfaced with the existing hospital, which allowed it to remain operational throughout the construction process.
Central to CMH’s decision to involve local companies was a partnership between The Boldt Company and Ray Riihiluoma as construction managers and general contractors. The partnership was chosen in lieu of the companies competing against one another, keeping money in the area and giving multiple local companies a share of the new business.

"Anyone who has come into our facility and seen the work that was done in 2004 is able to see the impressive results of that partnership," said Breuer. "Not only does it look beautiful, but it was done on time and on budget.

Boldt and Riihiluoma kept efficiency high during phase one, finishing the addition within just 14 months, making the planning process for phase two a little simpler. "One of the easiest parts of phase two was the board meeting very early on when we said ‘let’s talk about the contractors,’ and without question, there was no hesitation to say we wanted to work with Boldt and Riihiluoma again," said Breuer. "It has been a pleasure, they have been true partners for us and they have helped us get it to this point."

PHASE TWO UNDERWAY

Picking the contractors for phase two may have been easy, but CMH faced significant challenges in upgrading to become a cutting-edge hospital in a rural community. However, those challenges were again met by support pouring out of the Cloquet community, local businesses and government.

In addition to strong public support, CMH received financial support ranging from major United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Agstar Financial Services loans to a donation from The Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa for dialysis equipment.

Government support for the project came from local, state and federal levels. One of those local officials, Cloquet City Administrator Brian Fritsinger, has been involved with CMH’s progress since phase one. "This expansion really does represent progress from the proactive and caring community we live in," said Fritsinger. "You look at a hospital—any hospital in America—and you really see something that’s an engine for economic development. Community benefit is much bigger than I think a lot of us realize with a project like this."

CMH phase two rendering:

Healthcare facilities with as many features and advanced technology as CMH are not very common for cities the size of Cloquet, home to just over 12,000 people in a county of 35,000. However, local residents know how important an advanced healthcare facility is, even in a rural area, and have made sacrifices throughout the years to grow CMH’s facilities and services, offering up donations, volunteer time and hard work.

The current building phase, which broke ground in May, involves upgrading and expanding the inpatient rooms, intensive care, labor and delivery, dietary and physician clinic space. The new space will also house a much needed dialysis unit.

Dr. Steven Vopat, general surgeon and chair of Community Memorial Hospital Board of Directors, said offering dialysis is part of CMH’s goal to provide state-of-the-art care even in its rural setting, paving the way for future advancements. "The spirit of working for the greater good of society and planning for the future is alive and well in Cloquet. It is my hope that future generations will benefit from the work we do here and that CMH will continue to be a vital part of the Cloquet community for years to come," said Vopat.

CMH may be a healthcare facility, but benefits of its growth spread farther than increased healthcare quality. In fact, the CMH expansion has a massive, trickle-down effect on the local economy, the first level of that effect being the creation of more than 300 construction and construction related jobs for a period of two years during the current phase and permanent positions within the hospital.

"Major healthcare projects are one of Boldt’s core competencies and we are particularly pleased to start work on this project, which will create local jobs and improve the healthcare offerings to the Cloquet area," said Ron Hanson, Boldt executive VP and general manager, Minnesota operations. "When the trend of outsourcing has taken far too prominent a role in today’s business, Community Memorial Hospital has committed itself to not follow that trend. To partner with local contractors helps guarantee that every dollar CMH spends stays right here—to support the area that supports them. They walk the walk—no doubt about it."

CMH is investing dollars into the community but is already being repaid. Construction workers, hospital employees and the broad regional base of patients spend money on goods and services when they do business in the community.

In addition, local employees do more than just buy local goods; they help enrich the community around them. Many hospital employees are involved in corporate citizenship through the hospital, the chamber of commerce, various non-profit organizations and local schools and athletic associations.

It took strong decision-making and faith in the community for CMH to embark on such an ambitious master plan, but CMH’s focus on improvement never wavered. Bob DeKoch, Boldt president and COO, said Cloquet’s unparalleled commitment to community is a rare example other cities around the country should learn from. "The hospital’s outstanding leadership, vision and ability to gain local support is remarkable to say the least. We’re thrilled to be part of changing the landscape of healthcare services in Cloquet," DeKoch said.

There is plenty of work yet to be done at Community Memorial Hospital, but with so many people working as advocates for a deserving cause, there’s no shortage of helping hands.

###

ABOUT COMMUNITY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL www.cloquethospital.com

Find info about current construction work at http://cloquethospitalconstruction.com

Community Memorial Hospital opened on July 27, 1958, as a 76-bed regional hospital. In 2004, CMH completed a $15 million building project, the largest renovation project since the hospital was built, and we continue to update our technology and improve our services. In 2008, CMH celebrated 50 years of service to our community. CMH currently employs 400 people and directly and indirectly contributes over $40 million to the regional economy. The mission of Community Memorial Hospital is to improve and enhance the health and well-being of individuals and our community through education, prevention, treatment and intervention.

Work being done on phase two specifically throughout the rest of summer includes: 

• Site leveling and beginning of building excavation
• Demolition of existing structures in the new building’s footprint
• Start of concrete building foundation work
• Work on new east parking area for hospital employees and patients
• Installation and operation of new emergency generator
• Existing storm and sanitary underground relocation work
• Electrical and telephone line relocation work

Additional features of the new three-story, 80,000 sq. ft. addition and 20,000 sq. ft. remodel include:

• Intensive Care Units
• MRI Exam Room
• Infusion Therapy
• Birthing Suites
• Nursery
• (18) Private Patient Rooms
• Chapel
• Nursing Stations
• Gift Shop
• Family Waiting Area
• Satellite Pharmacy
• Men's and Women's Locker Rooms
• Kitchen/Servery/Cafeteria
• Classrooms
• Information Technology Department
• Material Storage
• Laundry Area
• Receiving Docks
• New Parking Lot

To maximize efficiency on the current project and stay on schedule and budget, Boldt laid out the construction site with the 5S process, a Lean practice. The project team also met during the preconstruction phase to communicate project goals, past lessons learned and BIM capabilities in an effort to meet and exceed the hospital’s expectations.

ABOUT THE BOLDT COMPANY www.Boldt.com

The Boldt Company, headquartered in Wisconsin, has 12 offices throughout the United States and is one of the leading sustainable construction firms in the country. The firm provides professional construction services to customers in a variety of industrial, education, healthcare, commercial and renewable energy markets nationwide. The firm has been recognized as one of the safest companies in America.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
Patrick Casey
Phone: 920-225-6159
Email: Patrick.Casey@Boldt.com
OR
Mary Schmidt
Phone: 920-284-7165
Email: mkschmidt@centurytel.net