In 2005, AHFD faced a challenge — build a new 63,000-square-foot hospital in Calais, Maine in 15 months with a tight budget. And do it despite major cost increases in steel and concrete, material shortages due to Hurricane Katrina and a looming long winter. Despite these hurdles, the project was completed two months ahead of schedule and well under budget. The new Calais Regional Hospital is an example of how the power of planning, advocacy and cooperation can achieve remarkable results.

AHFD’s master plan for Calais found that the old building could not be properly renovated to provide quality, efficient care. A new hospital was needed, with larger operating rooms, private emergency triage and treatment areas, increased parking and more. AHFD brought together the architect, contractor, and hospital leadership — including CEO Ray Davis and the Building Committee — to develop a design that met the hospital’s specific needs. Because all parties were fully engaged in the entire process, the client made very few changes during construction. That freed up more than $500,000 in contingency funds, which the hospital would later use to pay unanticipated USDA financing charges.

The project recently won the Associated Building Contractors Award for Excellence in Healthcare.