Work begins on hospital daycare site
Demolition is underway at a property next to the Plumas Hospital District campus, as a proposed daycare center for its employees moves one step closer to reality.
Darren Beatty, who was recently promoted to be the district’s chief operating officer, is overseeing the project.
“Inside we’re taking it down to the studs and outside there was a lot of yard debris and outbuildings that needed to be removed and hazard trees taken down,” he said during an interview last week.
When that phase of the project is complete, then a scope of work will be developed and put out to bid. He is working with local contractor Brett Marty.
The hospital district purchased the single-family home because of its proximity to its campus and to alleviate one of the issues that has plagued the district — its employees’ ability to find childcare.
At a recent meeting, the hospital district’s Chief Executive Officer JoDee Tittle said that lack of childcare has curtailed the hours that some health care providers have been able to work. She added that the availability of an onsite daycare could also attract more physicians.
But there is a lot of work that must be accomplished before the site accepts its first child. Beatty said that he envisions replacing the electrical system and plumbing before the finish work can be completed on the three bedroom, two bath home. While it will be finished to accommodate a daycare, it will be done is such a manner that it could be sold as a residence at a later date if that ever became necessary.
He and Tittle are consulting with a company that runs day care centers as they make decisions regarding the property and its optimal layout.
“The remodel must take into account future use,” Beatty said. “We need to maintain a residential feel.”
The next steps involve developing a scope of work, establishing a budget and discussing details and finishes.
It’s expected that the demolition will come in under $50,000, but Beatty is unsure of what the remaining work will cost. That budget will need to be approved by the district’s board of directors.
Beatty hopes that the work can be completed by spring.
