Just 3 months to the day following its official groundbreaking, construction on the new Lakeview Medical Center hospital reached another milestone last week as the placement of the final steel beam was recognized by a traditional topping off ceremony.

Topping off, a phrase coined by ironworkers in the 1920s, celebrates the final piece of structural steel after a building has reached its maximum height.

About 60 community members and staff participated in the event during which the beam, signed by Lakeview Medical Center employees and patients, community members and construction crews, was hoisted into place.

As is tradition, an evergreen tree to symbolize growth and bring good fortune to the building occupants accompanied the beam along with an American flag.

Lakeview Medical Center president and CEO Ned Wolf opened the ceremony by welcoming participants and thanking them for sharing in the historic milestone. "It was very impressive to see all of the signatures on the beam and the good will of the community towards the new building," said Wolf.

Some interesting construction facts about the building include:

• 35-50 workers on site per day.

• 275 tons of rebar.

• 9,700 tons of concrete.

• 875 tons of steel.

• 12 local businesses have been awarded building contracts.

The project is expected to be completed late next year. The $43 million hospital will feature 40 larger private rooms with accommodations for overnight guests, separate emergency entrance, a chapel and a C-section surgical suite located between obstetrics and surgery.
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