CCMSD to plan hospital building remodel

The Crook County Medical Services District is looking into the possibility of instigating a remodel of the hospital in Sundance. To get the ball rolling, the plan is to ask an architectural firm to create a phased plan of the upgrades and replacements needed to bring the old building up to date.

At this point, said CEO Micki Lyons on Friday, enough money has been put into the old building and the district cannot afford a new one. Rather than rely on a bandaid approach, she suggested hiring an architectural firm to create a master plan for a remodel.

Lyons suggested that this would cost around $60,000 and would ultimately provide the district with a prioritized list of projects. She told the Board of Trustees that she feels tapping into the expertise of an architectural firm would be a better approach than simply working on small things here and there and piecing the remodel together.

“That’s what our charter is as board members, is forward thinking,” agreed Chairman Mark Erickson. “…We just need to know what we’re up against.”

Trustee Connie Lindmier agreed, stating that, “We need to go at least ten years out and have at least two architectural firms see if they will come and visit with us.”

The board discussed some of the potential projects that might be identified on the master plan. For example, said Trustee Ed Ray, the electrical system needs to be updated and, “The lab doesn’t even have water, there’s not enough pressure.”

“Infection prevention, we need to move our standards up,” agreed Erickson, with Trustee Sandy Neiman suggesting there may even need to be a new annex for this purpose.

The board was amenable to moving forward with creating a remodel plan in three or four phases. “You have to start somewhere,” commented Erickson.