ROCK SPRINGS – In major construction projects, delays can and usually do happen in some form or another. An aggressive deadline on the first two floors of the new medical office building at Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County has been slightly pushed back.

Chief Executive Officer Jerry Klein told the board on Wednesday that every time the leadership team heard the project would be complete at the end of December they were hopeful, but knew it would have to go perfectly. Klein explained while an order for two air handling units went out on time, delivery was delayed for about a month. Then, after making their way to Rock Springs, crews waited another week or so until they could use the giant crane to put them in place.

The construction company will test them to make sure they can handle the air in the building. Klein said they will then have to get the floor temperature up before the building can be opened. He explained the delay will now push the opening date of the first two floors until the first half of January.

“If you’ve ever done a project like this, none of this should be a surprise to you,” Klein laughed.

The other floor of the medical office building should be completed and open in March.

Klein passed on better news when it came to the boilers. He said the boilers are on time and the steam lines are ready to go.

“That piece is in great shape,” Klein said.

Another piece which is in great shape in the medical office building is the regional cancer center. Recently, the board informed the public the center was fully staffed. At the meeting, Klein informed the board that equipment and software had been received and there are several meetings scheduled as the staff learns the new software.

Klein said some of the software is for patient records and explained how detailed and protected these records would be with the software they decided to go with. Not only that, but the software will also break down the billing aspects. He said billing for the type of medicine and other procedures used can be very confusing and the software will take a lot of the confusion out and make it much easier.

“There is a lot of work going on,” Klein said summing up the progress.