McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. topped out the new Southern Illinois Healthcare Cancer Center in Carterville, Ill. Festivities included viewing of the final beam and the site, and culminated with the McCarthy team hoisting the final steel beam to the top of the structure.
Southern Illinois Healthcare displayed the 22-foot long, 250-pound steel beam at various locations over the past month, encouraging those impacted by cancer to sign it.
“We wanted this to be a symbol for strength and support that all of us at SIH work for,” said Jennifer Badiu, SIH system director of cancer care services. “But it also represents all of the community who have given friends and family members the strength and support they need through their journey.” The beam will be located in the entrance of the new facility, where all cancer patients and caregivers will pass under it.
The new 44,000-square-foot, full-service cancer center, combines SIH’s existing radiation therapy locations and its medical oncology clinics. Situated on a 15-acre site east of Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge north of Illinois Route 13 in Carterville, the new facility alleviates the need to travel great distances to receive care. Bringing patients, doctors and services under one roof will increase efficiency and improve the quality of service.
The $24-million facility includes two radiation vaults, medical oncology infusion spaces, medical clinic suites, administrative offices, lab, rehab gym, meeting rooms, retail space and a self-service eating area. Lawrence Group is the project architect.
A concrete double vault enclosure will house the cancer center’s linear accelerators. Seven-foot thick concrete walls and ceilings will contain the high-energy radiation produced by the linear accelerators. “The linear accelerator vaults are constructed of more than 900 yards of concrete with tight tolerances,” stated McCarthy Senior Project Manager Andy Poirot.
The building’s design incorporates a number of sustainable elements. Natural materials, plenty of natural light and views of the surrounding landscape will promote wellness and healing in the cancer patients that visit the facility. The project is being designed and built to achieve LEED certification.
Construction began in September 2013 and is on track to complete in October 2014.
