Richland Center, WI – Pine Valley Community Village, a publicly-operated nursing home, will be seeking approval from the County Board of Supervisors to renovate and expand their facility. Nearly a year ago, the Pine Valley New Facility Temporary Construction Oversight Committee was formed to explore all options for improving the county nursing home facility which employs and serves many county residents. The subcommittee was tasked with finding the most cost-effective plan to best position Pine Valley for the future. On April 21, 2015, the committee presented the proposed new facility to the county board.
The New Facility subcommittee has worked with consultants, Eppstein Uhen Architects and CG Schmidt Construction, to create a building plan that remains economically responsible while adding value to the community. The current Pine Valley facility was originally built in 1960 and shows significant signs of age. The proposed new facility will improve efficiency and expand operations while re-purposing portions of the existing building for support spaces, community use and therapy. Eighty skilled nursing beds will be available and the continuum of care will expand by offering 16 assisted living beds. All residents will have private rooms and bathrooms in a residential, neighborhood style design. Converting from double rooms to private rooms will help improve the occupancy rate by providing privacy for all residents, eliminating exposure to possible infections and dismissing roommate incompatibility. Additionally, they will be able to control their individual room temperatures and enjoy comfortable gathering spaces, improving the quality of life. Each neighborhood will feature its own kitchen and dining room. Furthermore, the new facility will provide inpatient and outpatient therapy services while still offering beautiful views of the country landscape.
The importance of remaining economically responsible was stressed by the subcommittee. In addition to re-purposing portions of the existing building to reduce cost, several features of the new building will help lower utility costs over the entire life of the building. A geo-thermal system will be used to maximize efficiency. Also, lighting and HVAC controls will be used to optimize energy use. As a result of these systems, utility costs will reduce from approximately $150,000 to $100,000 annually, a savings of $50,000 each year. The new layout in the resident areas will also contribute to increased staff efficiency and simultaneously improve care.
“Pine Valley allows county residents to remain in their own community at an affordable cost. Their services are available to all county residents regardless of income. These updates to the facility will create a more efficient and desirable environment for residents, families and staff and allow Pine Valley to continue to effectively serve Richland County for many more years,” commented Fred Clary, a Pine Valley Trustee. The Richland County Board of Supervisors may vote on renovating the Pine Valley facility as soon as the meeting planned for May 28, 2015.
