Author Archives: Editor

Completion of the new Marian Regional Medical Center marks new era for Santa Maria healthcare

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (June 4, 2012) – A new era in healthcare has begun in the Santa Maria Valley with the opening of Marian Regional Medical Center, a new 235,000-square-foot (double the existing size), $218 million tower tied in to the existing hospital. Owner Dignity Health selected Moon Mayoras Architects to design and Kitchell to construct the building. FDI Planning Consultants, a division of Kitchell, provided equipment transition services. The hospital’s mission-style exterior complements neighboring areas, following the City of Santa Maria architectural theme.

Kitchell started with a $13.8 million addition to the central plant to completely upgrade the original central plant built in the 1960s. Other features include a four-story (plus basement), 191-bed patient tower, a two-story above-grade connector to the existing hospital, neonatal intensive care (NICU), expanded emergency department, expanded critical care unit, surgical services, cardiac services (including open heart surgery), obstetrical and gynecological services, full diagnostic imaging services, including MRI and CT, cancer/oncology services, orthopedic services, pharmacy and respiratory therapy, new chapel, healing garden, and an expanded and relocated cafeteria.

“It’s great to be a part of a community landmark like this,” said Kitchell Project Director Michael Walsh. “Our team became really invested, celebrating alongside them when the transfer of patients was complete, the emergency room was full and the first birth was recorded.”

Read more about the project in this article from GlobeSt.com

Running Creek Casino completes in time for Memorial Day gamblers

UPPER LAKE, Calif. (May 23, 2012) –The long awaited Running Creek Casino – nestled among the pines in the beautiful resort area of Clear Lake, celebrates its grand opening Memorial Day weekend.

Located in an innovative Sprung structure at 635 E. Highway 20 in Upper Lake, Calif., the region has long been a mecca for campers, hikers, nature lovers and water sports enthusiasts—and now boasts a new casino property as one of the area attractions. The 33,000-square-foot casino, built by Kitchell, is an enterprise of the Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake, and houses 349 of the hottest slot machines and six popular table games.

“I am proud to represent THIS Tribe whose eternal hope and unrelenting determination not only brought this project to fruition in Lake County, but did so in a cooperative, respectful and professional manner,” said Tribal Chairperson Sherry Treppa. “The Tribe could not be more pleased about the new jobs we have created in our community through this project and the positive economic impact Running Creek will provide for area businesses.”

In addition to gaming, Running Creek Casino features the Hot Springs Express restaurant, offering quick, made to order menu selections such as burgers, sandwiches and salads. A second dining option is Wildfire, a 65-seat full service restaurant with patio dining featuring quality American cuisine and a wood burning pizza oven. Running Creek’s On the Rocks is a full service bar that highlights a variety of cocktails, beers and wines by the glass, as well as an array of appetizers to compliment any drink selection. Other amenities include the Running Rewards player’s club and multiple meeting rooms.

“The high-performance fabric and reliability of Sprung structures make them an ideal solution for many gaming and entertainment enterprises, and we’re seeing more interest in them,” said Kitchell Native American Division Vice President Brad Gabel. “They can handle high capacity, accommodate multiple uses and are less expensive than traditional building while maintaining a high aesthetic standard.”

Background
The Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake are a federally recognized tribe historically located in Upper Lake California. In 2008, they were able to place 11.24 acres near their historic tribal lands into trust, which allowed them to create a gaming enterprise. The casino construction project began in 2004 and was approved by the Department of the Interior in August of 2011, as well as through a state compact signed in March of 2011 by Gov. Jerry Brown.