BATTLE CREEK - A bigger and better Battle Creek Health System campus is on the way, in the form of a $29 million expansion project highlighted by a new lobby and new surgical areas and patient rooms.

The expansion will include an eight-suite surgical center, a new patient tower with 30 additional private beds and a new patient/visitor lobby. Ground was broken on the project in the fall of 2004, with completion targeted for 2007.

"This project will improve patient flow, offer more private rooms and increase our capacity to build on our own world-class technology - all to better meet the needs of our growing number of customers and the physicians who practice at BCHS," said Patrick Garrett, president and CEO. The CSM Group is managing the project.

The project is proceeding in three phases. During Phase 1, the building trades built a new patient/visitor lobby to address a significant shortcoming - the facility never had a real lobby in the past. A new mobile imaging dock was also relocated.

During Phases 2 and 3, which are ongoing, a current loading dock on Emmett Street was moved to North Avenue to allow for the construction of the new 35,000-square-foot surgery addition. Also, new pre-and post-operative treatment areas will be created, plus two floors of private patient rooms.

"The contractors and tradespeople have really done a nice job," said Paul Ratliff, BCHS director of engineering and the hospital's project manager. "We already have our beautiful new lobby complete, and it came in on schedule and under budget."

This isn't the largest improvement project the hospital has undertaken - in fact, Ratliff said most of the physical plant is less than 10-15 years old. Now it's time to renovate the existing 35-year-old surgical area, which is too small and outmoded for present-day needs. "We need a more state-of-the-art surgical center to provide for the needs of our patients and staff," he said. The new patient rooms will all be private, a desire of patients that hospitals around the nation are addressing during new construction and renovations.

One of the most difficult aspects of the project, Ratliff said, will be tying in the new construction with the existing building, a task slated for December. "The challenge will be to tie in the new surgical center, while mitigating the issues of noise, dust and smell," he said. "We will have everything sealed off, and I'm confident that will go well."

MOVING MATERIALS in front of the Battle Creek Health System expansion is Bill Lawson of Operating Engineers Local 324.

INSULATING A HOT WATER pipe at the Battle Creek Health system expansion project, left, is Derek Heerlyn of Heat and Frost Insulators Local 47 and Ticon.

DOWN THE SAME corridor, Adam Bunce of Plumbers and Pipe Fitters Local 333 and Mall City Mechanical installs a 1 1/2-inch copper pipe.