Initial health building plan too pricey

By SCOTT BORKGREN
Reporter

The Converse County Commissioners would like to build a new health building for area residents, but the price has to be right.

At a Jan. 19 meeting, GSG Architecture and Haselden Construction brought an initial plan before the board for a new public health building. However, it was estimated by Haselden to cost $651,480, much more than the commission said it could afford.

The proposed building would be located at 255 N. Russell Ave., next to the Department of Family Services office, and is the former home of Busy Bees Child Care.

The commission asked GSG to go back to the drawing board and find ways to reduce the price to the $300,000 range.

“I was not aware of the big difference between a commercial building and a residential building,” said Sharon Kilmer, county nurse manager for public health services. “In talking with them, my assumption in my limited knowledge is that it was more of a residential build. Their assumption is that it was commercial.”

“Commercial grade is characterized by structural steel studs instead of wood and a flat roof instead of a sloped roof,” GSG Project Manager Deborah Cattelier said. “The initial design was planned without knowledge of any budget. We worked with Sharon designing based on her needs.”

GSG hopes to have a revised plan before the commissioners in the near future.

“It will be a challenge, but I think it is doable,” Cattelier said.

“Changing several things to residential grade will reduce costs significantly,” Commission Chairman Ed Werner said.

The layout of the new 4,157-square-foot building includes a 400-square-foot waiting room, three exam rooms and three unisex bathrooms. Most importantly, it would ensure the privacy of patients.

“When you have people come in and your waiting room is the hallway and you only have one clinic room, it’s not a good situation legally or ethically,” Kilmer said. “I’m thinking if we can get the cost of a remodel and build down . . . I would imagine – I can’t speak for the commissioners – but I would feel more comfortable about getting something.”

This is part of the February 4, 2010 online edition of The Glenrock Independent.

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