St. Charles Bend offers public new tower ‘sneak peek’

After two years of construction, St. Charles Bend’s new patient tower is nearly complete. The building will open on Sunday, May 19, ” building the bridge to the next century of care for Central Oregon,” the hospital said as it invited the public to an early look this week.

The public is invited to St. Charles’ Sneak Peek Celebration and Discovery Tour of the tower on Wednesday, May 8, from 4 to 6 p.m. Tours will promptly begin at 4:30 p.m. On event day, follow Loop Road and look for signs for parking.

The largest construction project since the St. Charles Cancer Center, the three-level tower is located on the north end of the Bend campus and houses a 24-bed Intensive Care Unit, a 28-bed Progressive Care Unit and shell space for future development.

“So much thought went into the design of the tower,” said Iman Simmons, St. Charles’ chief operating officer. “We asked our caregivers and patients to envision a modern, functional and healing space. The result is a truly innovative addition to our hospital that is going to improve the care we provide to the community.”

Responding to growing capacity issues at the hospital, St. Charles Health System’s Board of Directors approved the $66 million project in July 2016. NBBJ Architects and Skanska designed and constructed the building, as well a 500-stall parking lot and second water line to the hospital.

“This project represents a significant investment in the future,” said Board Chairman Dan Schuette. “It is a commitment by St. Charles to provide the high level of care our growing communities have come to expect.”

For more information about the Sneak Peek or the tower project, visit http://www.stcharleshealthcare.org/Our-Locations/Bend/New-Bend-Tower-Project .