Construction Blues

Very recently I've detected what might be called a touch of construction blues.  Although it was a very hot day back in July 2011 when ground breaking was held for the beginning of Phase II here there was considerable enthusiasm for the project.  Residents were  eagerly looking forward to the expansion which would add 24 apartments, 32 skilled nursing beds, 11 additional accomodations for assisted living, more space for the crowded physical therapy department, enhancement of the dining and kitchen facilities, and a gathering room which promises more space as well as eagerly awaited  more comfortable chairs. 

As work began we realized we would encounter inconveniences along the way in addition to the appearance of a lot of changes.  Throughout it all we have adapted to changed traffic patterns, backup beepers, temporary utility shut offs, alternate plagues of mud and dust,  strange loud noises, and more. 

There have been some compensations such as new topics of conversation and new activities to entertain us.  Daily conversations frequently have to do with what new equpment has been seen, where fences have appeared, changes that have occurred in the landscaping, etc., etc.  It's been fascinating to watch the huge cranes first at one end of the campus where the work on the Health Center is going forward and then at the opposite end where the apartment building is going up.  Watching those dare devils put up the roofing enthralled some of us as we observed their agility.  Our monthly Resident Association meetings.have become more interesting with the addition of regular construction updates. 

But  now it's well over a year since it all began and it's becoming "old hat."  Also, the sprawl of work sites over the campus has had its effect as Phase II has spread from its initial areas at opposite ends of our community building to smack dab in the middle.  One of these, the Gathering Room hasn't been as disruptive  as that of the kitchen and dining facilities where everything has been literally knocked out of kilter.  The food serving area has been moved into one of our dining rooms - that dining room has been moved into our main lobby - lobby furniture has disappeared and reappeared scattered hither, thither, and yon - part of the Bistro has vanished behind temporary walls - hidden away behind temporary walls is the kitchen area. 

 Goodness only knows how the kitchen staff still manages to prepare the same quality of food as in the past.  As the kitchen, dining and maintenace staff gallantly managed these transformations we adjusted to finding our food in unfamiliar spots.  Many thanks have to go to those staff people who patiently dealt with our grumbling as we searched.  To their credit none of us missed a meal 

Our kitchen and dining staff has done a remarkable job of keeping things going smoothly.  I'm sure they are walking extra miles daily due to the new configuration.  My hat is off to them for the way they keep smiling on as they cope daily with the total discombobulation of their working area.  I think if I were one of them I would be singing the blues loudly and probably off key.

 I'm noticing that the questions being asked more frequently have to do with the finishing date of Phase II. e.g.  "Will the kitchen and dining room be ready for the holidays?  When will we be able to use the Gathering Room for our programs?  How soon will they open the skilled nursing beds? and "What's the date for people to move into the new apartments?" 

I suspect one thing that is contributing to the "blues" is the fact that as the finishing date has come closer our ability to see what's happening is decreasing.  With the skeletal stages  completed everything is enclosed and the workmen are no longer visible.  But we still hear the noises behind the walls.  Guided tours of the Health Center the last week in September helped to satisfy a lot of our curiosity by answering a number of our questions and giving us a chance to get answers to the ones that came up as we toured. 

I'm sure the blues won't last. As I think about it just now we're rather like youngsters looking forward to Christmas when they get to open their gifts.  So I'm confident as we see more and more of the outside finishing touches appearing our blues will turn to carols of joy.  I believe that the staff and residents will come together as they have for the holidays in the past and our spirits will be lifted as the New Year brings the culmination of all of our Phase II projects.