Construction continues on a cancer center and medical office building at Community Hospital in Grand Junction.

A topping out celebration marked the placement of the last steel beam atop the building as well as an intermediate point in the $54 million project. 

As part of a tradition, employees, construction workers, donors and others signed the beam prior to its installation to commemorate their involvement in the project.

The James Pulsipher Regional Cancer Center and medical office building is scheduled for completion in December 2023 and will add 126,000 square feet to the Community Hospital campus.

“This project is our hospital’s commitment to our partners to build a state-of-the-art regional cancer center and continue to develop our highly sought after cancer treatment program with the best possible medical and radiation oncologists in the region,” said Chris Thomas, president and chief executive officer of Community Hospital. 

The new center and office building constitutes a commitment to provide more room and resources to the physicians and staff who joined the hospital in 2014 to start Grand Valley Oncology, Thomas said. Cancer treatments since have become one of the fastest growing service lines for the hospital.

“In less than 10 years, Grand Valley Oncology has become the premier cancer center on the Western Slope because of the incredible leadership of JoAnne Virgilio and the stellar team of medical and radiation oncologists and dedicated staff,” Thomas said.

Grand Valley Oncology offers a range of cancer treatment options, including gynecological, medical and radiation oncology as well as clinical trials, genetic counseling, social services and a survivorship program.

Grand Valley Oncology operates a Commission on Cancer accredited program and also received the Patient-Centered Specialty Practice designation from the National Committee for Quality Assurance.