Case Study: ACC Health Innovation Center

Elevating Healthcare Education

Introduction

Colorado’s healthcare sector is facing an imminent shortage of skilled professionals, making accessible training opportunities essential. Haselden Construction’s expansion and renovation of the new Health Innovation Center at Arapahoe Community College (ACC) in Littleton, Colorado, directly addresses this need. The 2,754-square-foot addition and Health Annex remodel project features state-of-the-art training facilities and skills labs that provide hands-on education to prepare future healthcare workers. With facilities like nursing and EMS labs, a paramedic classroom, and an ambulance simulator, the Health Innovation Center equips ACC to train more students and elevate the level of healthcare expertise in Colorado.

Project Features

The Health Innovation Center is a premier facility designed to immerse students in realistic healthcare environments, equipping them for careers in a variety of medical fields. Key features include simulated hospital rooms, complete with hospital beds and patient care equipment, where nursing students can practice essential skills in a controlled setting. An ambulance simulator mimics a real ambulance interior, allowing EMT and paramedic students to experience hands-on emergency response in realistic conditions. Additionally, the facility’s projection room, equipped with an advanced multi-sensory system, enables instructors to simulate complex emergency situations, such as rescues or accident scenes, complete with sound and scent effects to deepen experiential learning.

Each lab is also equipped with integrated audiovisual systems, including high-definition cameras and screens, that facilitate real-time, interactive training for virtual students. This setup allows remote learners to observe and participate in simulations closely, making ACC’s healthcare programs accessible to all students, regardless of location. Together, these state-of-the-art resources position ACC as a leader in healthcare education, providing students with one of the region’s most comprehensive and immersive training experiences.

These cutting-edge resources position ACC to offer one of the most comprehensive healthcare education programs in the region, preparing students to meet the challenges of modern healthcare environments.

Challenges Overcome

The ACC Health Annex, originally built in 1975, presented several challenges. One of the most significant was keeping the facility operational throughout construction, as closing it would disrupt the education of healthcare students and delay graduation timelines. To address this, Haselden implemented a phased approach, remodeling classrooms and common areas in carefully sequenced stages. This six-phase process allowed ongoing use of the building, with each phase requiring separate permits and inspections before the college could reoccupy the completed areas. Additionally, Haselden timed renovations in corridors and high-traffic areas for semester breaks to minimize disruptions.

Unforeseen conditions, such as incomplete building records and unexpected asbestos levels, further complicated the project. Despite these obstacles, Haselden managed the abatement process and maintained progress, ultimately delivering the building on schedule for the fall 2024 semester.

Project Management Excellence

The Health Innovation Center project exemplifies Haselden’s strong relationships and commitment to proactive communication. Working closely with ACC and Anderson Mason Dale Architects, Haselden coordinated each phase with the college’s class schedules and utility needs. Frequent updates ensured that ACC had clear visibility into the project’s status, allowing them to make timely adjustments to class schedules and logistics.

A key aspect of the project’s management was the need for unique permits for each construction phase, requiring seamless collaboration across architectural, mechanical, and electrical divisions. The project team coordinated closely with ACC to schedule utility shutdowns during off-hours, minimizing class disruptions. By leveraging their expertise in phased construction and strict permit compliance, Haselden was able to deliver each completed space for ACC’s use even as work continued elsewhere in the building.

Throughout construction, Haselden utilized a 360-degree camera to document each phase of the remodel. This documentation created a comprehensive record for ACC, streamlining future maintenance and expansions.

Prioritizing Campus Safety

Given the Center’s location on an active college campus, Haselden placed a strong emphasis on safety, collaborating closely with ACC’s administration to develop a detailed site-specific safety plan. This plan included clear signage and communication to keep students and faculty informed of active construction zones, as well as designated safe passageways to prevent disruptions to campus life. Weekly safety walks, led by the project’s superintendent, reinforced safety standards and encouraged team accountability. When an emergency exit was temporarily blocked due to construction, Haselden coordinated with local authorities to create an alternative route, ensuring continued compliance and safety. Through a commitment to transparency and accountability, Haselden upheld the safety of both the construction team and the ACC community.

Community Impact

With the demand for healthcare services on the rise, Health Innovation Center project provides the tools and space needed to train more skilled healthcare professionals. By expanding and enhancing training facilities, this project helps ACC meet the needs of Colorado’s healthcare industry, ultimately improving patient care and accessibility across the state. Graduates from these programs are better equipped to serve their communities, filling critical roles in nursing, EMT, physical therapy, and more. For Haselden, the project underscores a commitment to quality and community impact, providing long-lasting benefits that support healthcare education and the well-being of Colorado’s communities.

Conclusion

The Health Innovation Center represents Haselden’s dedication to meeting complex challenges and delivering results that elevate educational experiences and address community needs. Through careful planning, innovative solutions, and a commitment to safety, Haselden has created a space that not only prepares students for successful careers but also strengthens the state’s healthcare infrastructure. This project serves as a model for collaborative construction on active campuses, ensuring a brighter future for healthcare.