South Kingsville Medical Centre Upgrade

“Westgate”, as the Loaram Team refers to it, is a perfect example of the excellent results that can be attained when the client is engaged and genuinely part of delivering the construction outcomes.

In this case, the client is also a not-for-profit organisation that had raised funds to redevelop the medical centre – through strong and savvy management on behalf of almost 10,000 members. In short, every dollar had to be stretched to maximum benefit. To complicate matters, the medical clinic had to remain operational for the duration of all works.

Loaram was recommended to the Westgate Health Executive Officer, and after preparing a construction cost submission and proposed methodology, a contract was successfully negotiated.

Working with the client and the adjacent Guardian Pharmacy, an alternate entry route was deployed that allowed Loaram to “take out” the current entry and demolish the front of the existing waiting area, reclaiming the courtyard for internal use.

Using a series of staged relocations, Loaram managed to work through the building targeting key works while the medical centre continued to operate. After significant in ground works, new slab and steel structure, a new glazed façade was deployed along with a feature glazed atrium, finishing trades and joinery. The client had several preferred trades (Mechanical and IT) of their own and Loaram worked effectively bring these trades into the site to interface with the Loaram team.

The success of the “front end” of the site generated two additional packages of work to upgrade the doctors’ rooms in a staged program to ensure the centre serviced its members without interruption.

This then rolled into a fourth package to strip out and refit the main treatment room. The effectiveness of interfacing the adjacent Guardian Pharmacy into the medical centre saw the creation of an additional common internal entry and disability ramp to allow patrons to move between both facilities.

This is a project that Loaram is particularly proud of. Innovative thinking in addressing services issues and other obstacles saw the project was not only delivered on time, but also with contingency funds mostly untouched to be redirected to future packages of work.

To be acknowledged at the recent formal opening of the upgraded facility in front of selected board members and representatives of the cooperative was particularly rewarding for Loaram.

Project Reference: Mary Anne Perry, Executive Officer – 9391 6777 (maryannep@westgatehealth.coop)