Building Hope Close to Home: Lakewood Cancer Center’s New Era of Care
December 12, 2025
Delivering world-class healthcare in a rural setting takes more than vision — it takes collaboration, precision, and a partner who understands how to build for both people and purpose. At Nor-Son Construction, we’re proud to partner with Lakewood Health System to bring their new Cancer Center in Staples, Minnesota, to life — a 19,000+ square-foot addition that will transform how oncology care is delivered in the region. With extensive experience in healthcare design, BWBR Architects shaped a welcoming, efficient space that supports both patients and providers.
This project, that began in July 2024, represents far more than bricks and mortar. It’s about building hope close to home — giving patients in central Minnesota access to state-of-the-art cancer treatment without the need to travel long distances for care. Lakewood Cancer Center celebrated its ribbon cutting on October 23, 2025.
A Facility Designed for Healing and Innovation
The new Cancer Center includes 14 infusion bays, 10 medical oncology rooms, 2 radiation oncology exam rooms, and a dedicated procedure room, along with an in-house PET/CT scanner and a Linear Accelerator — an advanced radiation therapy machine typically available only at large urban hospitals.
The Linear Accelerator Vault was one of the most technically challenging parts of the project. To safely contain radiation, the vault required walls and ceilings several feet thick — using more than 500 yards of concrete. The crew had to do three consecutive pours and carefully monitor the curing temperatures.
“The Linear Accelerator machine is a big deal,” said Adam Helmrichs, Superintendent for Nor-Son Construction. “It’s a highly specialized cancer treatment option that people used to drive hours to access.”
Now, patients in central Minnesota can receive this life-saving treatment close to home.
Building While Caring: Phased Construction and Infection Control
Constructing a new facility adjacent to an active hospital requires careful planning, coordination, and communication. Nor-Son’s team approached this project with a phased construction strategy designed to minimize disruption to hospital operations and maintain a safe environment for patients, staff, and visitors.
Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA)-trained crews took every measure to contain dust and debris, manage airflow, and isolate work zones — all while ensuring hospital services continued seamlessly next door.
This expertise is part of what makes Nor-Son a trusted commercial construction partner for healthcare administrators across Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. From modernization projects to ground-up facilities, our teams have a proven track record of delivering hospital environments that meet the highest standards of care, safety, and efficiency.
The Heart Behind the Build
Behind every healthcare facility we construct is a mission we take to heart — helping our partners better serve their communities. For Lakewood Health System, that mission is clear: providing exceptional, community-based cancer care in a rural Minnesota setting.
Construction wasn’t without its challenges. Heavy rainfall during the summer of 2024 made the site messy and cold winter weather added to the difficulty once the building shell was in place. With windows across the entire north end of the building, the crew had to hang frost blankets and use forced-air units to keep conditions stable. Crews and subcontractors came together to make it work.
Collaboration That Builds Confidence
Throughout the project, clear communication and collaboration were key. Nor-Son’s team worked closely with Lakewood Health System and a strong group of subcontractors to ensure each phase of construction went smoothly — from early site work to final finishes.
Open communication between Nor-Son and Lakewood was critical every step of the way. Regular weekly progress meetings ensured that every department at Lakewood — from IT to administration — was part of the process, reflecting Nor-Son’s commitment to partnership and transparency.
A Trusted Partner in Healthcare Construction
The Lakewood Cancer Center is more than a building; it’s a commitment to accessible, high-quality healthcare. For patients who once had to travel long distances for specialized cancer treatment, having this center in Staples represents convenience, comfort, and community.
Nor-Son Construction’s reputation for phased hospital construction, infection control, and ICRA-trained contractors continues to make it a trusted partner for healthcare administrators across Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and the Twin Cities metro.
From new facilities to complex hospital renovations, Nor-Son delivers state-of-the-art healthcare environments that prioritize patient safety, functionality, and efficiency — all while maintaining the human touch that defines exceptional care.
Experience the Nor-Son difference. If you’re looking for a trusted construction partner who builds with people in mind, let’s start a conversation.