Hospital approves parking expansion

Greater Regional Health board Monday approved a total of $158,058 for expansion of parking along Country Club Drive.

TK Concrete of Pella had the lowest bid for concrete, which was approved at $130,531. Their bid was the lowest and one of five with the highest bid at $174,085.

“It came in at about 18% under the engineer cost opinion,” said Matt Buck, who is overseeing the project, about the concrete price. “We are seeing that lately with concrete.”

Although a construction schedule is not yet known, Buck said he expects portions of Country Club Drive will be temporarily closed to create the 45 additional parking spots. Hospital officials are working with the city of Creston about how and when that will be done. Residents that use Country Club Drive will still have access to their home. How the work will change traffic flow at the East Medical Suites has not been determined.

Buck said he expects the entire project to take two weeks with good weather.

Hospital administration is intending the new parking spaces will be used for staff. That way, parking spots in the existing lots will be available for patients and visitors. Administration has noted finding a parking space is difficult at times.

The additional costs are related to a 5% contingency and about $21,000 in engineering fees and costs.

In other board action...

Administration approved a 5% pay increase for non-contractual staff in July.

A request to purchase two new panda warmers was approved. One warmer, which are used for infants, is not functioning and deemed not ideal for use. The hospital’s foundation has offered to donate funds from this year’s golf event to assist with the purchase the warmers. The total approximate cost is $36,00.

The board had already set aside $25,000 in December and approved another $13,190 to complete the medical oncology record system.