Published: November 18, 2008 11:35 am         

Hospital beams with pride

Top support piece lifted into place Friday

Hovering 103 feet in the air, Artamen Cruz and Rafael Quintana installed the last piece of steel at the top of the new Saint Joseph-London Friday, marking a major milestone in the $147 million project.

The moment was commemorated during a topping-out ceremony attended by physicians, hospital staff and other members of the community.

“It’s hard to believe it was Oct. 4 of last year that we had our groundbreaking ceremony,” Saint Joseph-London President Virginia Dempsey said. “So much has happened in the past year.”

Indeed, in addition to parking lots being poured, roads being carved and earth being moved, 2,487 pieces of steel have been placed, with the super-structure of the 331,000 square foot building now complete.

The building started rising from the ground Sept. 9.

Steel worker Jeff Avery came from Orlando, Fla., to work on the project. When asked on how things are going, he responded with a smile.

“Lovely,” he said. “I love Kentucky.”

Superintendent Sharon Horton was likewise pleased to work on the new hospital off KY 192.

“It’s been very easy,” she said. “And very nice. It’s going to be a beautiful hospital.”

Project Manager Sean Buck, of Nashville-based R.J. Griffin Company, said progress continues to go “very, very well.”

“We’ve already started on the exterior walls,” he said. “We will try to get a roof and walls on now.”

CEO Gene Woods pointed out Saint Joseph-London has come a long way both in its construction — and as a hospital itself.

“If you look back five to six years ago, there were a lot of challenges,” he said. “We won’t be defined by our challenges or any of the perceptions out there ... I think people should recognize the work that has been done here ... We’re here to celebrate the distance that we’ve come.”

Saint Joseph-London Board Chairman Mike Fiechter agreed.

“What kind of vision would (hospital founder) H.V. Pennington have?,” he said. “He would be flabbergasted at what’s going on today.”

The new Saint Joseph-London is expected to be complete by spring 2010.

Staff writer Tara Kaprowy can be reached by e-mail at tkaprowy@sentinel-echo.com.