As the final beam of the Shands at UF Cancer Hospital ascended into the air with the help of a powerful crane, the hopes of those searching for a cure lifted a little, too.
A topping-out ceremony was held at the hospital's construction site on Southwest Archer Road at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, commemorating the final pour of the building's highest level of concrete.
The ,388 million, 500,000-square-foot construction project is two months ahead of schedule, aiming for completion in September 2009, said Terry Bolden, senior superintendent of Skanska USA Building Inc, the construction company in charge of the project.
After listening to a few congratulatory speeches, hospital employees, supporters and workers squinted through the sun's glow and paid respect to a large American flag attached to the rising beam while the national anthem blasted from speakers nearby.
Tim Goldfarb, chief executive officer of Shands HealthCare, thanked donors, architects and construction workers for their investment in the center.
"Like all great things of value, we build with our hands, our heads and our heart," Goldfarb said.
Despite achieving the milestone, he said he anticipates the day when the hospital will open its door to those seeking lifesaving cancer treatment.
"I cannot wait for 18 months from today," Goldfarb said, referring to the hospital's anticipated completion. "We will have a party."
Before it was lifted about 280 feet in the air, the white beam was autographed by all of the construction workers and others who supported the project. It will be kept inside the hospital after the building is finished.
Brad Pollitt, vice president of facilities development for Shands, said the building would include family areas in patient rooms for overnight stays and 192 private rooms for patients, he said.
Additions such as a chapel, a meditation garden and a two-story lobby with large glass windows that allow for bright light to flood the room are meant to inspire patients, their families and hospital staff, he said.
"There's a lot of heart that goes into this building," Pollitt said.
