Jason Arndt, jarndt@shawanoleader.com
Leader Photo by Jason Arndt Two workers with Boldt Construction bolt two tiles with approximately 400 signatures to a top beam of the new ThedaCare Medical Center-Shawano for a topping off ceremony Wednesday.
A “topping off” ceremony was held Wednesday to celebrate the final and uppermost steel beams being placed atop the new ThedaCare Medical Center-Shawano under construction at County Road B and state Highway 22.
Two tiles affixed to one of the beams bore approximately 400 signatures from area residents and hospital staff.
Two workers from The Boldt Co., of Appleton, the project’s general contractor and construction management firm, secured the two tiles, with a tree nestled between them, to the beam.
“To say the least it was very emotional and I have tremendous pride,” said Dorothy Erdmann, CEO of Shawano Medical Center. “These type of milestones reflect how far we have come.”
Residents were able to sign the tiles at Shawano Medical Center and ThedaCare Physicians last week.
Larry Klement, 68, of Shawano, autographed one of the tiles and attended Wednesday’s ceremony.
“It is part of history in Shawano and was tremendous undertaking,” said Klement, who served on the SMC board of trustees for a decade. “For a community of this size to have this facility is just breathtaking.”
The topping off ceremony is traced back to ancient Scandinavians, who placed a tree atop a new building to appease tree-dwelling spirits displaced in its construction. Today, the ceremony marks a milestone for large construction projects and often is a major public relations event.
Erdmann said she and fellow board members began planning for the ceremony nine months ago.
“I could not be happier with Boldt Construction for the time they put in,” Erdmann said.
Boldt’s project manager, Matt Peterson, said the outer shell of the building should be done by the end of fall or early winter.
The goal, he said, is to fully enclose the building before the cold weather so the medical center’s interior finish and most mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems can be installed during the winter.
Peterson said construction is ahead of schedule despite a 25-day delay last winter due to subzero temperatures.
A centralized utility structure, which includes air conditioning, heating and electricity, was fast-tracked and completed in four months, he said.
ThedaCare Medical Center-Shawano will replace the 81-year-old Shawano Medical Center and is slated to open in fall 2015. It is adjacent to ThedaCare Physicians-Shawano.
The center will also house ThedaCare At Home-Shawano and ThedaCare At Work-Shawano.