Work begins on new medical center

A Canada red cherry tree was planted Friday at the site of the Carson-Tahoe Regional Medical Center as a symbol of strength, longevity and healing.

"May it always provide hope," said Kathy Molina, who was on hand representing the employees of Carson-Tahoe Hospital as hospital, city and state officials broke ground on the $132 million project.

Molina came up with the idea to break ground by planting the tree.

The Rev. Jerry Hanley, the longest serving clergyman in Carson City, blessed the ground by splashing bottled water at the tree.

The site is located next to Silver Oak Golf Course.

Gov. Kenny Guinn's Chief of Staff Marybel Batjer, born at the hospital April 29, 1955 said "This a dream for a wonderful community."

Batjer spoke in place of Guinn who was home recuperating from arthoscopic knee surgery done Wednesday at the hospital.

Batjer also read a gubernatorial proclamation and was followed by Caleb Mills, chairman of the Hospital Board of Trustees, who then introduced Ed Epperson, the Carson-Tahoe Hospital chief executive officer.

Board members shoveled ceremonial dirt toward the tree and then posed for pictures as David Benoit played the "Peanuts" theme song.

Mills, speaking after the event, said the ground breaking seemed to solidify things.

"The reality of the new regional center is finally sinking in," Mills said.

He pointed out flags in the background behind the podium after the event and explained their significance.

"The red indicates the location of the medical office, the blue and white marks the location of the surgical enter, the green is where the free standing cancer center will be and the four blue flags stand where the regional medical center itself will be," Mills said.

Epperson said he is excited, and wants the community to be too.

"This is a very exciting day for our community. In fact, it is an exciting day for our entire region," Epperson said.

"In the past several years the commitment to build a new, $132 million state-of-the-art health-care facility has gone from vision to mission to starting construction. Carson-Tahoe Regional Medical Center is a rarity in the nation. In the United Sates, an average of only nine hospitals a year have the resources to build a brand new campus," he said.

"I, for one, couldn't be prouder to be a part of this project, a project that will change the delivery of health care to the entire region."

The Regional Medical Center will be built on 60 acres in north Carson City.

"The center is designed to be aesthetically pleasing as well as efficient," Epperson said. "We know that our campus will be the gateway to the region and it is our hope that the beautifully designed main building will be a source of pride for the residents of our community."

FAST FACTS

Carson-Tahoe Regional Medical Center

Where: 60 acres located at the north end of Carson City on Eagle Valley Ranch Road, west of Highway 395

What: Along with main building, the campus will include various free-standing buildings including a short-stay surgical hospital, accredited cancer center, new central plant and medical/administrative office buildings that will be phased in over time.

Of the 337,000 square feet distributed over three levels and a partial basement, Carson City will own approximately 14 acres in the center of the complex as a detention basin area. Direct excavation from basin area will be used by the Nevada Department of Transportation as fill for the the bypass project.

Cost: Construction budget is $65 million but the cost of the entire project is estimated at $132 million.

When: The Center is scheduled to open in December 2005 with about 1,200 employees.