On August 29th, the
Frontier Cancer Center and Blood Institute celebrated its grand opening at their new location in Billings, Montana with an official open house. Frontier Cancer Center executives and members of the Cogdell Spencer ERDMAN project team were joined by nearly 1,000 supporters from the community, including Montana Senator Max Baucus, who stopped by to take a tour of the new state-of-the-art facility.
“I’ve always believed that all Montanans and Americans should have access to quality health care whether they live in urban centers or more rural areas,” said Senator Baucus. “This facility is an important step toward meeting the growing demand for high quality cancer care for Montanans who need it most. I’m pleased to see the teamwork that’s gone into making this facility possible.”
Frontier’s vision was a cancer treatment facility that felt welcoming, comfortable, not clinical. To help achieve this, one focus of our team was introducing as much natural light as possible. A soothing view of the outdoors and natural surroundings was very important, and the design offers comfort to patients receiving treatment. With this in mind, the second floor deck was designed with spectacular views of the Rimrocks and the Yegen Golf Course.
Frontier Cancer Center valued the range of specialty expertise and services that we brought to the project. This included a comprehensive artwork and furniture services team program.
The furniture services team worked with Frontier Cancer Center executives to create a healing environment with a caring and compassionate ambiance. Our start-to-finish services included furniture and art consultation, design, programming, specification, procurement, and installation. We specified durable, quality products using cost-effective solutions that met the aesthetic and functional needs of the facility. Furniture and art were provided throughout the public spaces, private offices, clinical areas, and the second floor deck. We incorporated comfortable furnishings, appealing fabrics, and unique artwork, some of which came from local artists, to create a tranquil, pleasing atmosphere.
Construction of the 39,000 square foot facility began in June 2009 and concluded in August 2010. We implemented an aggressive community reinvestment program employing many local subcontractors on the project. Frontier Cancer Center combines chemotherapy, radiation, cancer support services and research under one roof, incorporating the latest in cancer treatment technology.
“Thank you seems so little for all that you have done,: noted Cathey Bealer, RN, MHA, CMPE and CEO of Frontier Cancer Center. “Every time I walk in my office and look out my window, I will fondly remember that you are responsible for the peace I will feel while at work. More importantly, every time a patient walks through those doors and experiences the beauty you have developed for them at a vulnerable part of their life, you will be the reason.”