Skanska, CTC Host Topping Out Ceremony

October 19, 2009: The construction company for Columbus Technical College's future health sciences building partnered with the school, it's Foundation and Local Board for a traditional topping out ceremony on Friday. About 150 people attended the barbecue lunch on the ground floor of the up-and-coming health sciences center on River Road. Attendees included construction workers, Skanska employees, representatives from the project's architectural firm, (Stanley Beaman & Sears) the Georgia State Financing and Investment Commission (GSFIC), trustees from the Columbus Technical College Foundation and Local Board, as well as faculty and staff members from the college.

The topping out ceremony served as a giant "thank you" to all of the partners involved with helping bring the Robert L. Wright, Jr. Health Sciences Center to fruition. Several local media outlets covered the event. Local NBC affiliate, WLTZ, detailed the project and how it will help economic growth in the area while the Columbus Ledger Enquirer posted a video essay. In his remarks, Columbus Technical College President said, "We have put this vision into a package that is looking like what we wanted it to be and yet we didn't know how to do it. From the college's standpoint, I just want to say 'thank you' for helping us arrive at our destination."

Project Manager David Hansmann says the Robert L. Wright, Jr. Health Sciences Center is about 40 percent complete. Columbus Technical College health sciences faculty and staff members will take occupancy of the building next summer with the first students arriving in Fall of 2010.

Topping Out Cake
A Newnan, Georgia-based bakery created this cake as a replica of the future Robert L. Wright, Jr. Health Sciences Center.

Cake Cutting
(left to right) Columbus Technical College Foundation Vice-Chair Murray Solomon, Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Linn Storey and Columbus Technical College President Bob Jones cut the ceremonial cake at the Topping Out Ceremony on October 16, 2009.

Topping Out Beam
Top picture: A red arrow points out the location of the previously-signed beam used in the Topping Out ceremony. Bottom picture: a closer view of the signed beam - it was intentionally installed upside down so visitors could better see the signatures.