The Electrical Blog

Project Highlight: Veterans Affairs Clinic

Posted by Tonia Nifong on Thu, Jul 25, 2013

From the vantage point of an electrical worker, the new Veterans Affairs clinic under construction in Colorado Springs is quite the venture. State-of-the-art medical, electrical, and other systems will combine to help provide excellent health care for veterans and active-duty troops in the Pikes Peak region. And with nearly 72,000 veterans and 50,000 active duty troops in El Paso County (2009 Census Bureau estimate), the need for a local clinic is growing. With Berwick at the helm of the new clinic’s electrical work, we caught up with Project Manager Mark Norman to learn more about the project.

Image of VA Clinic Worksite
 The new VA Clinic, under construction at the top of Fillmore hill.

Berwick Electric (BE): The new Veterans Affairs Clinic will be a great asset to the community. Can you describe what sorts of services will be offered here?

Mark Norman (MN): Sure. The new clinic will offer a large variety of services, including CT scans, lab work, and more. I’ve also learned that it (the clinic) will offer needed mental health care to those who have served in Afghanistan, Iraq, or who have suffered traumatic brain injuries.

BE: How was Berwick awarded the VA Clinic project, and what is Berwick’s role in the construction of the clinic?

MN: After a very lengthy interview process with Jacobsen Construction of Salt Lake City, UT, Berwick was chosen as the electrical subcontractor for the VA Clinic. In a nutshell, we will be installing the building’s power and lighting system, as well as the data communications, fire alarm, and security systems.

BE: Have you run into any challenges during the project?

MN: The clinic will have a three-story, open glass atrium that faces Pikes Peak, and the atrium requires a complex smoke evacuation system. Careful coordination of the building’s electrical, life safety, security, and mechanical systems is essential in order for the smoke evacuation system to function properly. It’s been a great challenge!

BE: Is there anything else that you want to share about the project?

MN: Yes; I would like to comment on what an outstanding, hard-working, committed crew that we have on site!  Berwick’s General Foreman John Travers is working with Foremen Eric Norman and Dale Butterfield to ensure the success of the project. The clinic is slated to open in late spring or early summer of 2014.

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The new Veterans Affairs clinic is only a small token of the gratitude that those who have so diligently served our country deserve. Berwick Electric Co. is pleased to contribute to such a worthwhile project. 

Topics: Project Updates, Service Department, Community