It began as a 35-foot-deep hole in the ground. Now UI Children's Hospital is a 164-foot-high building.

It just needs a few finishing touches from patients and the community.

The exterior of the new UI Children’s Hospital is nearly complete. Everyone is invited to make their mark by signing the final steel beams to be placed at the top of the building.

On Saturday, April 25, before the Iowa Hawkeye’s open practice at Kinnick Stadium, the public is invited to participate in a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be part of the new UI Children’s Hospital. There will be a short program at 10 a.m., followed by the opportunity to sign a beam that will become a permanent part of the new UI Children’s Hospital. The beam will be available for signatures from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Krause Plaza at Kinnick Stadium, 825 Stadium Dr., in Iowa City.

The event will be streamed live at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 25, at www.uichildrens.org/raisethebeam. Immediately after the practice—sometime between 2:30 and 3 p.m.—the beam will be raised into place by one of the cranes working at the construction site.

The first 500 people to sign the beam will receive a limited edition gift.

Patients and their families were given a special beam-signing event earlier in April with a purple beam and colored markers.

Those who can’t make it to the event but still want to participate can submit their name to be signed on the beam at www.uichildrens.org/raisethebeam by the end of the day Monday, April 20. 

Parking for the event and the open practice is available in the lot behind Kinnick Stadium.

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all UI-sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this event,  contact Molly Rossiter in advance at 319-356-7127.