Editorial: Groundbreaking tonight shows cancer center is a step closer to reality

Published 8:17 pm Wednesday, September 20, 2017

The Peeples Cancer Institute at Hamilton Medical Center has been years in the making.

Tonight, it takes another step — albeit a ceremonial step — into becoming reality.

The community is invited to a groundbreaking for the cancer center tonight at 6:01 at Bandy Plaza near the corner of Broadrick and Memorial drives. The first small piles of dirt will be shoveled tonight, signaling that construction on the project will begin soon.

The cancer center will connect to the main hospital with a street-level connector with hardscaping and greenspace, creating a “campus-like environment.” It will be a welcome addition to Dalton.

“Initially, Hamilton had planned to be in the construction phase at this point, but as we talked to members of our community and began evaluating the plans, we wanted to incorporate those new suggestions and ideas,” said Jane Snipes, executive director of the Whitfield Healthcare Foundation. “Hamilton’s leadership team felt it was important to make adjustments to the original plans based on feedback from the community.”

Many in the community have played roles in the development of the cancer center. Local philanthropists Shelby and Willena Peeples gave a “significant legacy gift toward the development of the cancer institute,” according to hospital officials.

If you’d like to help with the cancer center, you can take part in the “Dine Out Dalton” event today. Fifteen local restaurants will donate 10 percent of their proceeds to the cancer institute.

Participating restaurants are:

• Baja Coop

• Cheesecake Heaven

• Cherokee Brewing & Pizza

• Crescent City Tavern

• Cyra’s

• Engine Room

• Hamilton’s

• Love Empanadas

• Mama Wilson’s

• More than Greens

• Oakwood Café

• Pablo’s

• Perfect Cup

• The Sweet Spot

• The Pizzeria at Hamilton’s

We have written in this editorial space how we believe the cancer center will greatly impact the lives of not only Dalton and Whitfield County residents, but overall for northwest Georgia. No longer will residents have to drive great distances to receive top-flight cancer care.

We look forward to the day when we celebrate the Peeples Cancer Institute’s grand opening.