"the People's Paths!" Cherokee News Path - CNCS Breaks Ground On Tahlequah Hospital Project

Cherokee Nation Construction Services and Tahlequah City Hospital employees break ground on a new three-story, 34,000–square-foot medical office building. The new building will be used for specialty care and house all non-clinical hospital staff.

TAHLEQUAH, OK - Cherokee Nation Construction Services and Tahlequah City Hospital broke ground recently on a project to expand and improve the hospital’s facilities. Construction on a new three-story, 34,000–square-foot medical office building will begin this month.

“We are committed to working with local providers when there is expertise available,” said Brian Woodliff, president and CEO, Tahlequah City Hospital. “We are thrilled that the Cherokee Nation has brought construction expertise to Tahlequah.”

Cherokee Nation Construction Services was awarded the $4.5 million design-build contract in June 2009. This is the first collaboration between CNCS and the city of Tahlequah.

“This is a very exciting project for us and for the city of Tahlequah,” said Ryan Holderby, project manager, Cherokee Nation Construction Services. “This new facility will provide local access to specialty care that this area needs.”

In addition to the new structure, the project also includes renovations of the hospital’s existing buildings. The new medical office building will be used for specialty services such as cardiology, nephrology and orthopedics, and it will house non-clinical hospital staff. The addition of the new building and renovations will allow for better service for clinical patients.

“We are very pleased that the services we provide will meet the hospital’s needs and be a positive experience for both of our companies and most importantly, for the citizens of Tahlequah,” said Bryan Collins, CEO, Cherokee Nation Construction Services.

CNCS has completed other projects in the Tahlequah area, including the Sequoyah High School athletic facility and Cherokee Casino Tahlequah. Construction on the Tahlequah City Hospital project is expected to be complete by April 2010.

Cherokee Nation Construction Services is wholly owned by the Cherokee Nation. The Cherokee Nation has been committed to economic and workforce development since the founding of Cherokee Nation Industries in 1969. The purpose of Cherokee Construction Management is to provide consistency in construction operations for the Cherokee Nation; ensure compliance with internal and external rules, regulations and policies; and effect efficiency methods and results in construction projects. For more information on Cherokee Nation Construction Services, visit the CNCS web site.