West Park seeks state help for heating upgrades

West Park Hospital officials are seeking the state’s help to overhaul the facility’s heating system.

Leaders at the Cody hospital intend to ask for about $950,000 from the State Loan and Investment Board — half of a roughly $1.9 million project that will replace the facility’s boilers. The equipment dates back to the hospital’s construction in 1972 and is now about seven years past its expected 35-year lifespan.

“These are very old boilers, very inefficient. They need to be replaced,” said Tim Waldner, West Park’s director of operations.

Not only have the steam boilers required more maintenance in recent years, Waldner said they operate at only about 60 percent efficiency; a modern hot water boiler plant should operate at 90 percent efficiency or better, which will save money on utilities.

The plan is to install two new boiler plants: one for the long term care center and one for the hospital. Upgrades will also need to be made to some of the hospital’s air handlers as part of the switch from steam to hot water.

Park County commissioners agreed to sign a letter of support for West Park’s request at their Oct. 6 meeting.

Commissioner Loren Grosskopf wished the hospital luck, saying it may be a tough year to get state funding.

“We don’t expect it to be easy,” said West Park CEO Doug McMillan.

~By CJ Baker

by CJ Baker, healthcare, Park County, West Park Hospital