14 | Scott Construction T T Karen Phelps State-of-the-art facility a credit to firm Scott Construction overcame numerous challenges during the construction of the new Te Whatu Ora (formerly West Coast District Health) Buller Health Centre project in Westport - REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Nelson based Scott Construction has clinched multiple accolades at the 2024 New Zealand Commercial Project Awards. The company’s crowning achievement was for the Te Whatu Ora (formerly West Coast District Health) Buller Health Centre project in Westport, which overcame numerous challenges to deliver a state-of-the-art facility. “There were numerous challenges and we kept overcoming them and kept moving forward,” says Ben Turnbull, project manager for Scott Construction. “This project really shows our attitude towards delivering excellence for our clients. We just never give up. We finished it on budget and two months ahead of schedule. That was pretty miraculous.” The project commenced in 2021 amidst the global pandemic, which brought supply chain disruptions and logistical challenges. However, the most significant hurdles came from two major floods at the start of the project, which disrupted the local subcontractor network and accommodation network for workers. “The local contractors we had secured moved to assist the town with their flood repairs so we had to quickly source alternative workers from outside the area and find accommodation for them. We fitted out a wing of the old physio wing to house the building contractors including building bathrooms out of previous laundries. We had to get creative.” Luckily the 1.6 metre high platform wasn’t disrupted due to the floods as it had already been raised significantly off the ground during the design period to mitigate future flood risks. Ben says it earned the project a humorous nickname among locals. “A lot of people were calling it ‘Noah’s Ark’ after the floods,” he jokes. The remote location of Westport added another layer of complexity to the project. “To get to Westport, everything came via Christchurch and Greymouth. The inclement weather and overall tough place to build in terms of supplies made it a constant challenge.” Despite these setbacks, the Scott Construction team demonstrated remarkable resilience and innovation. Ben says that the Buller Health Centre project was testament to community engagement and perseverance. “The idea for the new hospital was first proposed in 2014, and it quickly gained widespread support from the Westport community but was initially going to be a much smaller build. The community drove it from that small project to a 2,400 square metre build. They had thousands of people turn out to meetings and had to hold these in the local rugby field as so many people attended.” He credits one standout community champion, Phyllis Phipps, a nonagenarian who headed the Buller Hospital Action Group. “Her mandate was she wasn’t allowed to die until the project was finished, and I have a photo with her at the grand opening. It was such a community-driven project, and people like Phyllis were really involved at every turn.” Ben’s personal commitment to the project saw him spend two years away from friends and family to ensure its success and he says this was typically of many team members. At its peak, the project employed around 65 people, bringing significant economic activity to the region. The completed health centre now serves as a vital piece of infrastructure for the West Coast, doubling as the civil defence building for the region. On the back of the success of the project Scott Construction recently secured a contract to build the new mental health hospital in Greymouth. Proud suppliers of Building materials to Scott Construction Ltd 0800 556 551 • info@brown-syme.co.nz • www.brown-syme.co.nz For the very best in Quality No job is too small or big Operating in Christchurch, Nelson & throughout the South Island P A I N T I N G C O N T R A C T O R S B r o w n Holdings Limited & S y m e Commercial & Residential Decorating • Wall Coverings • Speciality / Protective / Anti-Graffiti / Intumescent Coatings • Pool Painting Graffiti Removal • Historic Building Specialists • South Island Wide
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