Lots of construction work is planned next week at Bluffton Hospital. Here's a report:

Last week we were able to get the first layer of wood on the canopy so that field measuring can now take place for the exterior finish material this week. The underside of the canopy saw great strides toward completion with the fire sprinkler and metal studding in the finishing stage.

On the north side of the building, we started placing vertical pipe supports for a screen wall and digging the waterline into the boiler room. We were able to work out details with the power company that will enable us to move forward with site work as soon as the weather permits.

In the new operating room, 90 percent of the drywall was hung and all of the walls were removed from the old surgeon's locker room. The concrete in this area was saw cut and we are now ready to finish the underground piping. The last of the sub framing metal plates arrived from the surgery light manufacturer, so the structural framing for medical light supports and other ceiling hung fixtures can be completed.

In the second floor clinic, 60 percent of the drywall has a finish and sanded coat of drywall mud ready for paint. In the emergency room's first floor, drywall is still being hung along with electrical wires being pulled and windows being installed. The plumbing passed an inspection and is being insulated and covered with drywall. Siding was hoisted to the roof ready for installation.

Drywall hanging should finish in the operating room and the first floor of the emergency room this week.

A dozen or so rooms on the second floor should be painted.

The windows on the second floor facing I-75 should be installed.

More wire will be pulled in all three areas and the plumbing should be inspected in the operating room former surgeons' locker room area.

Installation of the metal siding will begin on the roof and roof flashing should continue. The canopy wood framing will complete and, with any luck, the roofing for the canopy should start.

On the outside of the building, vertical pipe supports for the screen wall should complete along with chain link fencing around the generator area. The waterline into the boiler room should complete this week.