Background & Vision
When partners from pharmacy, physiotherapy, and physician services, all operating independently, started kicking around the idea of uniting under one roof, it wasn’t because they had a building waiting.
They had an idea. A sense that “pharmacy + physio + doctors under one roof” could feel like more than just co‑location. It could be a true “health collective.”
For Ark Health Collective, the goal was simple: create a shared facility where patients could access multiple services seamlessly, where providers stayed independent yet collaborated naturally under a unifying identity. Once they bought an aging structure, a former bar, they called BelleBay Construction and asked a simple yet daunting question:
“Can you build this from scratch… from inside out?”
BelleBay said yes.
Why BelleBay Was the Right Fit
From the very first phone call, Ark Health knew they weren’t dealing with a typical contractor. In other words: transparent pricing, no hidden markups, no stress over change orders. That kind of structure felt honest. It helped that Shawn had worked with BelleBay’s people years earlier at the potash mines, so there was a level of trust from the start.
“It was nice to have a familiar voice…,” says Shawn Bettle. “I like the way they kind of structure their contracts … cost‑plus … only making their certain percentage.”
More important than the pricing model was BelleBay’s willingness to commit even when the scope was undefined.
“They were willing, right from the beginning, where there was no certainty … they worked with us and spent their time giving us their advice.”
BelleBay showed up as collaborator first, builder second. That earned their seat at the table.
Scope & Technical Overview
What began as a clunky, outdated bar became, in effect, a brand‑new medical facility. Here’s what the transformation entailed:
- The building was stripped to its skeleton: only the roof and steel posts remained. Interior walls, floors, plumbing, electrical, everything had to go.
- Essentially, the project was treated as a new build, even though the original structure only dated back to 1989.
- Over a dozen contractors from the Sussex area were involved, including electricians, plumbers, finishers, all coordinated under BelleBay’s project management.
- Ark Health insisted on using local contractors to “support our community.” BelleBay not only embraced that, but it also led the effort.
From structural reinforcement to finish work, BelleBay organized trades, reviewed bids, and kept the build running on local talent.
Challenges & BelleBay’s Solutions
No true build, especially a gut renovation of a 1980s steel‑framed building, goes off without a hitch. And this one had its share:
When the structural engineer reviewed the pre‑existing steel frame, he flagged it as insufficient for the intended new use. That could have derailed everything.
Yet instead of panic, BelleBay brought in a local welding crew. Working with the engineer, they designed and added reinforcements. The building passed muster — ultimately, “as close to a new build as you can get,” in Bettle’s words.
Throughout, BelleBay maintained clear communication.
“They keep you in the loop on everything,” says Bettle.
That calm, procedural confidence converted a potentially fraught moment into a non‑issue and kept the overall project on schedu