SWEETWATER COUNTY – Work continues on getting a facility for Hospice of Sweetwater County. The group gave the Sweetwater County Commissioners an update on the project on Tuesday.

After seed money was planted to help Hospice find a local facility, those involved soon started to focus on the old hospital on the top of C Street in Rock Springs. Commission Chairman Wally Johnson said the building was a perfect fit and many in the community have also voiced the same belief.

The local Hospice Group has been working with Charlie Van Over of Plan One Architects as they have started taking a closer look at the building. At the Commission meeting Tuesday, Hospice representatives led by Board President John Kennedy, reported a recent seismic survey on the building  showed the building does not meet codes and they would need to get an opinion from the Wyoming Health Department. Hospice explained the survey said they can add new offices but it would not allow patient rooms.

The commissioners asked County Facilities Manager Chuck Radosevich if he has been involved in this and if he could weigh in on the findings of the survey.

Radosevich said  the building is in good shape. He explained seismic surveys have a lot to do with the brick and how it is placed. The center of the building was renovated in the early 1980’s while the wings were constructed in the 1930’s or 1940’s.

The commissioners asked Radosevich to get involved in the project and work with VanOver to see what options there are. Johnson said Commissioner Reid West has been working hard on this and explained the old hospital was the only option they were looking at.

Johnson continued, saying there was no intent to go in any other direction and they would support the Hospice Board anyway they could to get the old hospital approved by the State Health Department.

“If I was there the last six months of my life, an earthquake would be the last thing I would worry about,” Johnson said.