Medical center modernization project begins

Published Oct. 21, 2009
By Steve Pivnick
81st Medical Group

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- A $32.32-million infrastructure repair and energy management project began Sept. 10 to modernize Keesler Medical Center's facility systems. The project is scheduled to be completed in February 2011.

According to Capt. Matt Clugston, Air Force Medical Support Agency's project health facilities officer, the project was designed towards Silver LEED (Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design) goals for the medical center. The project also addresses the remaining building damage caused by Hurricane Katrina in August 2005.
The captain continued, "This undertaking consists of replacing and upgrading the medical center heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, electrical breaker panel upgrades, installation of a more energy-efficient and hurricane-resistant roofing and installing metered utilities for the facility. In addition, the work includes upgrading two banks of elevators which will make it easier to transport patients throughout the medical center by maximizing cab space for larger beds."

Captain Clugston noted some of the components being replaced have reached or exceeded their useful life requiring excessive maintenance, while other upgrades are projected to reduce operating costs. "This project will bring these systems up to current codes and enhance Keesler Medical Center's ability to continue its mission well into the future," he said.

Medical group personnel can expect disruptions in their ventilation systems, electrical systems, along with general noise associated with this type of construction. Within the scope of this project everyone in the facility will be impacted at one time or another, and should expect advanced notice and coordination on minimizing impacts.

Visitors will notice contractors working on the roof and hanging from scaffolding while giving the medical center a facelift. Meanwhile, the vast majority of the work inside the medical center will occur within equipment rooms, elevator shafts and generally out-of-site from the public.

According to Captain Clugston, "The team's primary goal is to limit construction impacts on patient care. The key element to this project's success will be the integration of the medical staff in planning each step of the way."

The Air Force Medical Support Agency is managing the IREM project which is contracted through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Specpro Environmental Services, LLC, an Alaskan-owned 8(a) company out of Huntsville, Ala., is the prime contractor responsible for reroofing, building facade repairs and repainting, crawlspace restoration and electrical and mechanical system upgrades.

"Market research started in the first quarter of calendar year 2009. The project scope was refined over six months with multiple