Project Manager: Cancer Center Behind Schedule

Construction of the $8 million Benton County Cancer Center near Horsebarn Road in Rogers began last year with a target completion date of April 2011.

Late last week, project manager Terry Traylor of Crossland Construction Co. in Rogers said the job is about three months behind schedule. Not surprisingly, a harsh winter that saw multiple winter “events” is to blame.

“With the snow and the cold weather we had, there were just so many things we couldn’t do,” Traylor said. “We were working on things all the time, but not on the critical items we needed to get done.”

The month of February was especially tough, Traylor said. Northwest Arkansas received snow of historic proportions Feb. 9 — 20 inches or more in most areas of Benton County — followed by sub-zero temperatures.

“(Delays in) roofing slows down everything inside,” Traylor said. “We couldn’t get it warm enough to tape and finish inside, water dripping inside. It was the position we were in and that was due to the weather.”

Traylor said he expects the two-story facility — which will measure 56,000 SF — to be complete by the end of June.

“It’s a big push to get it done,” he said.