Commissioners hear plans for senior living complex

Goshen County Commission

Sandra Hansen
Posted 12/8/17

Having successfully achieved construction of multiple senior living and care facilities during the past 40 years, the Goshen County Joint Powers Board is well on its way to adding to the count.

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Commissioners hear plans for senior living complex

Goshen County Commission

Posted

TORRINGTON – Having successfully achieved construction of multiple senior living and care facilities during the past 40 years, the Goshen County Joint Powers Board is well on its way to adding to the count.
Paul Novak, chairman of the GCJPB, explained the new concept to the Goshen County Commissioners during their regular meeting Tuesday morning. The project includes two additional levels of senior living accommodations, to be located on the vacant property once occupied by the local hospital at East D Street and 20th Avenue, next to Evergreen Court.
“The need is there,” Novak told the commissioners. “I can hardly go any place without people asking about when we’re going to have an independent and a supervised living facility. We can document the need.”
Novak proceeded to review the board’s success in making Evergreen Court, the Care Center and the Alzheimer’s facilities realities.
“Here’s the vision,” Novak said as he began explaining the future project. It would incorporate the extension and further utilization of the existing Evergreen Court and a connection to a new complex that would house Level 2 and Level 3 care.
Novak said Evergreen Court represents Level 1 of the proposed five care sources. The new Level 2 would provide for independent living, and the new Level 3 would be supervised living. Level 4 already exists in the Care Center, and Level 5 is the current Alzheimer’s unit. Evergreen Court has 28 apartments, the Care Center has 70 beds, and the Alzheimer’s unit has room for 28 residents.
“We have a proposal to make sure all the land is used, and for health care only,” Novak added. Evergreen Court and the proposed Evergreen Plaza would be connected with a walkway or breezeway to allow access to both units. There would be a work out room, several types of therapy, a court for out door activities, and a theater and dining area for an evening of prime rib dining and viewing movies.
However, there are obstacles, such as financing. According to Novak, the price tag is about $4-5 million, but Goshen County Economic Development Corporation has the project on its “bucket list” and is investigating funding possibilities.
“I am concerned about funding,” Novak admitted, adding that several tried and true opportunities exist. He emphasized that the board has preliminary drawings from an architect it has worked with on past projects, and wants to continue its practice of hiring local, as it did for the Care Center dining extension. It was built by a local contractor who hired local, creating 17 jobs, and improving tax revenue to the county.

 “We need to show the need to the people and make it profitable to Welco, who is absolutely essential,” Novak said. He then explained that Welco stepped up when Banner Health decided it would no longer be involved in operations at the Care Center.
Noting that he has spent a lot of nights thinking about the issue and possibilities, Novak said the solution came about 2 a.m. one morning.
“We build our own,” he said. “It’s doable. “What we do is shut down the highways to Scottsbluff and Cheyenne, and provide independent living here.”
Commission Chairman Carl Rupp, who sits on the joint powers board representing county government, said he invited Novak and other board members to make their presentation to the entire commission.
“The project is essential to our community, but as a county we aren’t able to pitch in financially,” Rupp said. “However, we will do all we can to support you.”
In other action, the commission heard reports from other county entities.
The Road and Bridge Department announced a reduction in speed limit on County Road 66 for the first mile of dirt road west of the former south livestock sale barn. The new limit is 40 miles per hour. It was changed following a study in response to concerned residents in the area.
The commission also heard and accepted the county’s final audit report, which had no control issues, for the Fiscal Year ending June 2017.
Emergency Management and Fire Warden reports were presented by EM manager Shelly Kirchhefer, and accepted by the commission.
County Assessor Deb Surratt submitted Reduction Orders for a total of $714, which were approved by the commissioners.
In another on-going issue, Mark LaGrande, a member of the Goshen County Planning Commission, presented his concerns about the on-going conflict regarding a feedlot southwest of Lingle. He emphasized the efforts the feedlot owner has made to meet federal and county regulations.
Feedlot owner Robert Lewis explained his side of the issue, as well, claiming he has the required permits and has done his part.
Commissioner Wally Wolski presented a motion, which passed, to have the deputy county attorney review the regulations that are the center of the conflict and clarify the language so both parties are playing by the same rules.
“It appears in black and white, but some where it needs more clarification as to the rules. We need to get them spelled out so everyone knows exactly what they mean,” he said.
The commission went into executive session regarding possible litigation. No action was taken following the session.
The next Commission meeting will be 9 a.m., Tuesday, Dec. 19, in the Commissioner’s Room at the Goshen County Courthouse.