Delivering such a complex project in a remote, rural location presented a unique set of challenges. Some materials took months to arrive, while the limited availability of skilled labor required collaboration with trade partners from nine different states to build a skilled workforce. The area’s limited housing required workers to make daily commutes on rural roads from towns up to 60 miles away, with the added risk of frequent encounters with wild horses.

Photo courtesy Layton Construction

Dust storms driven by high desert winds were a regular occurrence. In the winter, temperatures would drop and snow would accumulate as early as October, lasting through April. Summer temperatures reached triple digits. Safety protocols were adjusted to account for the climate, helping crews stay protected and productive. Water had to be sourced and delivered to the site, including one occasion where the team temporarily drew from a nearby pond to continue operations.

Through perseverance and creativity, the team constructed a much needed hospital that will serve the region’s long-term needs. Architectural features like the curved glass staircase and radius exterior required precision fabrication and next-level craftsmanship—elements more commonly seen in large urban developments. Other facilities include a medical office building, adjacent 27-unit staff apartment complex and a clubhouse/human resources facility that helps supports recruitment and retention, addressing one of the biggest challenges in rural health care delivery.