Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
RICK CUNICO braves the cold Tuesday to work on the overhead awning at the Gogebic Medical Care Facility. The awning will provide protection from the elements to patients and staff arriving and departing the facility. Cunico expects to finish the awning within two weeks, weather dependent.
By IAN MINIELLY
Wakefield - The residents and staff at the Gogebic Medical Care Facility are already reaping benefits of planned upgrades and once the awning over the rebuilt entryway is complete, will really be in high cotton.
Rick Cunico, foreman for the Angelo Luppino Construction Company, of Iron Belt, Wis., said, "They had been waiting about a month for the steel to arrive so they could finish the awning. Now that it arrived, they expect to complete the job within two weeks, weather dependent."
The overhead protection at the entrance will allow patients' drop-off and pick-up to occur in a much more controlled environment. Vehicles will pull right up to the doors and discharge or pick up patients, keeping them out of the weather like they have been.
To date, the entrance foyer has been remodeled, to include new tile work and door replacement. An exit was added to the parking lot, making a dedicated entrance and exit to facilitate better traffic flow and safety for residents, employees and visitors.
Also, the heating system was replaced.
Georgia Weber, GCMCF administrator, said improvements to the facility are not ending. The facility is in the process of planning for a complete heating and air conditioning overhaul in two years and window replacement.
Weber pointed out besides the entrance changes, the GCMCF had also installed a new alarm system for after hours security and safety of the staff and residents.
Annual surveys continue and results show the staff is grading well.
