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Pioneer groundbreaking set for Tuesday
Published 12:00 p.m., November 6, 2009
Fergus Falls and the surrounding area will be one step closer to the future of senior care at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 10. That’s when Pioneer Retirement Community will host a formal groundbreaking on its Mabelle Avenue site for the construction of a new, replacement nursing facility, designed to be a state of the art 105-bed care center.
Speakers will include Pioneer Retirement Community CEO John Richards, USDA Rural Development State Director Colleen Landkamer, U.S. Congressman Collin Peterson’s Press Secretary Allison Myhre, Fergus Falls Mayor Hal Leland, Pioneer Retirement Community Board of Directors President Richard Werner, Pioneer Foundation President Mabeth Gyllstrom, and others.
They are scheduled to speak at the 3 p.m. Pioneer groundbreaking ceremonies. A reception will follow from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Pioneer Main Community Room, 1006 South Sheridan Street.
In October, Pioneer Home, Inc., a non-profit health care provider, was selected to receive a $10.75 million Recovery Act direct loan, and a $10.75 million non-Recovery Act guaranteed loan, through USDA Rural Development’s Community Facilities program, to construct a 105-bed nursing home to improve access to quality health care in Otter Tail and Wilkin counties.
“It’s essential that people living in rural Minnesota have access to the quality healthcare they deserve,” USDA’s Landkamer said. “The Recovery Act enables us to build a 21st century economy and improve our rural healthcare infrastructure. This facility will fulfill a major need in the Fergus Fall region and provide quality care well into the future.”
Pioneer CEO John Richards said that, “with USDA’s support, Pioneer’s vision of a care center that is responsive to the evolving needs of seniors will be realized.”
Beyond the USDA financing, Pioneer Retirement Community has also raised $1.4 million toward the $2.2 million Pioneering the Future Capital campaign. “This achievement,” said Richards, “includes many individual gifts, a commitment from our sponsoring ELCA churches, and leadership gifts from two local foundations. Our work continues to complete the funding package, and with this event, we kick off our more public campaign to secure gifts of another $800,000.”
The $2.2 million Pioneering the Future campaign will provide many added features to the new facility, including the chapel, gardens, and gathering spaces, features that Richards said will enhance the facility.
Campaign Co-chairs David and Tudy Nycklemoe and Mabeth Gyllstrom have built a cadre of volunteers who will be the public face of the campaign in the weeks ahead.
David Nycklemoe praised Pioneer for its vision.
“The forwarding thinking initiatives of the Pioneer Retirement Community board of directors and CEO John Richards are to be commended and supported,” he said. “Pioneer is here, now, building the future of senior care. Area residents will be the beneficiaries.”
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