Cheyenne Regional’s New Lobby Set to Open December 19

December 18, 2014

Cheyenne, WY—Cheyenne Regional Medical Center officials announced today that the hospital will open its new 6,700-square-foot lobby on Friday, December 19, 6 a.m.

The lobby renovation is the final phase of the Cheyenne Regional master facilities plan that included construction of a new emergency department, cancer center and two-story parking garage north of the hospital. The first project was the construction of the parking garage, which began in March 2012. Lobby construction started last May.

“These projects were selected after assessing community and hospital needs. The plans were based on input from hospital trustees, physicians, employees and volunteers in addition to community members,” said Joe Evans, president of the Cheyenne Regional Board of Trustees.

“The decision to renovate the lobby was primarily based on the need to improve patient access to our hospital and to also relocate our admissions area so that it’s adjacent to both our emergency department and lobby. With the redesign of the lobby, all three areas are now connected and are easier for patients and visitors to access from our main entrance,” said Jason Shenefield, Cheyenne Regional’s chief operating officer.

Other lobby features include:

• Information desks located at both the east and west ends of the lobby. The main entrance to the lobby is on the west end, near the new admissions office.
• The addition of Café 214, a beverage, pastry and snack shop. The café will replace the coffee and snack cart currently located in the medical office building. The café will open January 12.
• The addition of a gift shop, run by the Cheyenne Regional volunteer organization. The new gift shop will open on January 31 and will replace the gift shop located in the medical office building attached to the hospital.
• Twice as much room as the old lobby, with more seating for patients and visitors.
• More room for patient drop-off and pick-up at the main entrance.
• A three-sided island fireplace and stone accents to enhance the lobby’s appearance.
• Floor-to-ceiling windows to improve lighting and the overall atmosphere of the lobby.
• Ramps with less incline to improve accessibility.
• A baby grand piano donated in memory of Bill Swainson and in honor of Dell Swainson by sons Andy and Scot Swainson.
• Artwork that reflects the region’s landscape and heritage.
• A new office for the hospital valets.

Another significant change is that hospital’s free valet service will move from the south parking garage back to the hospital’s main entrance on December 19. The service was moved to the parking garage last May due to the construction.

An open house for the community will be held in the lobby on January 31. Included will be a chance to meet physicians and other clinical staff from several Cheyenne Regional services. The open house will coincide with the grand opening of the new gift shop.

“Renovating an existing facility creates challenges for patients and visitors who are trying to find their way around. Our community has been extremely patient and understanding over the past two and a half years,” Evans said.

“Everyone on the hospital staff did a marvelous job of taking the time to stop and help visitors and patients navigate around the construction maze to get where they needed to be,” Evans said. “The end result is that we now have several new facilities that will help us better serve the needs of our community and region.”

GE Johnson Construction Company served as the general contractor for construction of the lobby, cancer center, emergency department and north parking garage. The architect was Davis Partnership Architect, and project management was provided by ADAMS.

To construct, equip and furnish the lobby cost about $4 million. Construction of the new lobby, cancer center, emergency department and north parking garage was funded by revenue bonds.