West Park Hospital is a community hospital located in Cody, Wyoming – a town named for Buffalo Bill Cody and a gateway to Yellowstone National Park. Working from a master plan developed by David Johnson, the hospital began a three-phase process back in 2006 that, when completed, will have involved a variety of new construction, relocation, demolition, and renovation projects designed to modernize the hospital’s acute and critical care, long-term care, and medical office facilities.
You might say the hospital was in a bit of a tight spot with their existing facilities. That’s because the hospital and medical office building were adjacent to a huge bluff and occupied virtually all of the buildable space. And, of course, the master plan had to allow for “business as usual” operations throughout the project, requiring a well-orchestrated plan. Step one was to construct a new medical office building on the west side of town and then relocate Cathcart Health Center to the new, high-visibility site. The new MOB not only represents the character of the area, but incorporates environmentally friendly features like water-efficient sinks and a bioswale storm water management system that help to conserve the area’s less than 9″ average annual rainfall for irrigation.
The new Cathcart Health Center was completed in 2009. This past spring, the old MOB was demolished, opening up space to begin Phase II, a modernization project that will involve renovation and expansion totaling just over 110,000 square feet. Phase II will include a new, larger emergency department, the relocation of key clinical services, and infrastructure for Phase III, which will again involve more renovation and relocation activities. More than just trading spaces, though, Phase II adds a new face. A major new entrance will literally increase the visibility of West Park Hospital in the community.