COLUMBIA CITY, Ind. (Nov. 22, 2009) — Construction of the New Parkview Whitley Hospital, managed by Hagerman Construction Corporation of Fort Wayne, has entered the structural phase with the concrete pouring of the basement footings from west to east, as well as the forming and pouring of the basement foundation wall.

In addition to Weigand Construction, Inc., which has moved ahead quickly with concrete work in spite of several delays due to inclement weather, additional subcontractors have been selected for various aspects of construction, and include:

• Almet, Inc., a steel fabricator company located in New Haven, responsible for the structural steel scheduled to arrive in February 2010
• Otis Elevator, a worldwide elevator company with an office located in Fort Wayne
• A. Hattersley & Sons, Inc., of Fort Wayne, responsible for plumbing, heating, ventilation, air conditioning and medical gas delivery system installation
• Votaw Electric, an electrical contractor located in Fort Wayne
• Smith Erectors, Inc., a steel erection and concrete steel reinforcing contractor located in Markle

“We are thrilled to see our new hospital taking shape,” said John Meister, chief operating officer of Parkview Whitley Hospital. “All of our ideas and plans to deliver the best patient experience are becoming a reality. In two short years Whitley County residents will enjoy the benefits of a model community hospital.”

Visible now to passersby from the road is Smith Erectors’ 200-ton crane, which is used to hoist and move steel reinforcing bar for the construction of the lower-level foundation wall. The crane will be on-site until completion of the steel structural framing of the hospital.

Also, an additional 13,000 square feet have been added to the lower level of the original hospital plans to accommodate the new Medical Office Building, The expansion plans maintain the overall design integrity of the hospital complex, and the construction timeline has been synchronized with the opening date of the new hospital.