Retirement News : Seniors : $1.6 million assisted living facility to be built here

$1.6 million assisted living facility to be built here

Date Added: 19-06-2005

A new 18-unit assisted living facility called "Country Place Senior Living," will be constructed soon on a three quarter acre plot of land on the south side of Liberty St., just east of Clay Center Family Dentistry.

Clay County Medical Center and Jack West, co-founder of Texas-based Neighborhood Senior Living, have entered into an agreement for the sale of the land which must be approved by the Clay County Commissioners.

The $1.6 million facility will be available for occupancy by spring of 2006, officials said. Each living unit will have a fully accessible private bathroom, large sitting and sleeping areas and a hospitality kitchen In addition to the private living units, the 12,200 square foot building will include a large dining area, social and recreation areas, a beauty parlor and commercial kitchen facilities, officials said.

Clay County Medical Center has also agreed to become owner of 22 percent of Clay County Assisted Living, LLC, which will purchase the land, West said. The remaining owernship will be held by a small group of local investors.
The project is being financed by United Bank and Trust.

Construction is expected to begin later this summer or early fall.

West called the facility "state of the art...designed to meet the lifestyle and healthcare needs of seniors in Clay County and the surrounding area." He said each resident will be able to select the health care services they want. Certified and professional staff will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The staff will provide home cooked meals and snacks, companionship, medication management, life enrichment activities, laundry, housekeeping and assistance with bathing and dressing in a home-like environment, West said.

He said about 15 new jobs will be created.

"We are excited about helping provide Clay Center with this new concept in assisted living," Ron Bender, Medical Center administrator said in a press release. "The residential nature of the project will fit in well with the neighborhood and yet offer area seniors superior lifestyle and health care services.

"This project is consistent with the mission of Clay County Medical Center and helps fulfill our long range vision for development of this site," Bender said.
Both men credited Economic Development Group executive director George McCune with laying groundwork for the project in Clay Center.

"It is critical to the economic viability of our community that we address the needs and desires of our seniors," McCune said. "This project provides another long-term care option that further demonstrates the commitment of the entire community to seniors in our region.

"Clay County Medical Center should be commended for for its foresight and leadership in helping facilitate development of this project," McCune said.
West, a native Kansan, has developed and operated 15 other assisted living facilities, including The Homestead in Manhattan.

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