CHICO, CA (MPG) - Enloe Health celebrates the beginning of construction for the new Comprehensive Cancer Center with a groundbreaking ceremony and reveals the name of the center. It represents a major step toward relieving the critical need for expanded cancer care services in the North State. Completion is slated for the summer of 2026.

“Several years have been spent planning this critically needed project and we couldn’t be more excited to finally begin construction,” said Mike Wiltermood, president & CEO of Enloe Health. “For decades to come, the Gonzales Comprehensive Cancer Center will be critically important to our recruitment and continued ability to provide outstanding care close to home.”

The Gonzales Comprehensive Cancer Center name honors Dan and Dawn Gonzales, who contributed 13 acres of land in the Meriam Park community. Design firm HGA created the facility’s design and led engineering, interior design and medical planning efforts; Swinerton was selected as the general contractor. Program management firm Covalus has been guiding the collaborative design process and will continue to oversee the project through completion. Construction of the center will cost approximately $154 million.

“HGA is honored to be a partner to Enloe Health in the design and medical planning of the new state-of-the-art Comprehensive Cancer Center to serve the region, delivering clinical excellence and compassionate, patient-focused care,” said James Willsie of HGA. “We are excited to see the project moving forward into construction in realization of this goal!”

“Covalus is thrilled about the upcoming launch of the new Enloe Health Comprehensive Cancer Center and the collaborative effort that is driving this project,” said Covalus founder Mark Chenoweth. “This facility represents a step forward in providing high-quality care to the community, and we are grateful to be part of the project team.”

“The new Comprehensive Cancer Center is a vital project that will have tremendous impact on the Chico community and North State region for generations — saving lives and delivering better health outcomes for cancer patients, their families, and friends,” said Keith McCurry, senior project manager for Swinerton. “Swinerton is grateful to be an integral part of the excellent team that is bringing this critical project to fruition.”

The new center will serve Northern California between Colusa County and the Oregon border. It will include expanded patient care space, advanced treatment options, new equipment, integrated supportive therapies and more.

Over the last two years, the Enloe Health Foundation has raised more than $17 million toward their $20 million goal to support the Gonzales Comprehensive Cancer Center.

“We are profoundly grateful to our volunteer campaign committee and the hundreds of donors across our region, who have committed gifts of time and financial support to help bring this project to life,” said Jolene Francis, vice president of Philanthropy & Communications.