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There are four overarching goals for this project that complement URC’s mission and strategic goals. It is our expectation that this project will
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Need and Opportunity
Since 1959, the United Retirement Center has been a vital part of the successful economic development and growth in the Brookings community. As we look to the future, our goal is that URC continues to thrive while remaining a leader in providing a continuum of care designed to meet the needs of the baby boomer generation.
The face of the elderly population in Brookings and in South Dakota is changing. Seniors are a fast growing segment of the state’s population.They have increasing influence on the local economy and command a growing share of health care resources. South Dakota and Brookings mirror many national trends.
Across South Dakota, the number of individuals over age 65 is projected to grow by 75% between 2005 and 2025. Between 2005 and 2025, the elderly population in Brookings County is expected to double.
The need for innovative living arrangements will increase sharply as the generation of baby boomers ages into retirement. URC is meeting this challenge head-on with its pioneering approach to retired living. To this purpose, they have worked together as a staff to embrace a philosophy that emphasizes independence, dignity, and intergenerational interactions by caring for children and elders under the same roof. With the A.L.I.V.E. philosophy firmly in place, it is time to upgrade the facilities to reflect URC’s commitment to creating special opportunities and advantages both for the children and for the residents by providing a wonderful and unique living environment.
The URC campus facilities and grounds, which include the URC Child Development Center, will be an asset for the Brookings community for years to come.In order to be stewards to the community and to ensure that quality care is provided to the citizens of the Brookings area, URC should embrace the opportunity to build a conservative but updated facility and renovate the existing building on the campus.
Facility Plans
Click image to see larger view of floor plan.
Project Overview & Costs
In total, the project will involve 13,024 sq. ft. of new construction, the renovation of 8,577 sq. ft., and the modernization of 20,684 sq. ft. URC is working with Waltz Construction of Brookings on this project, and we anticipate breaking ground in the summer of 2011, with completion scheduled for the spring of 2013.
United Retirement Center Construction & Renovation - $5,323,000
When the building project is complete, the URC nursing home will have 39 private rooms and 21 double rooms, four neighborhood kitchenettes and dining areas, a larger therapy space, and a more modern “town center” with expanded space for the beauty/barber shop and café and store. To increase energy-efficiency, we will replace all of the original (1959) windows and doors.
Park Place Apartments - $527,000
To allow current residents to “age-in-place,” the existing independent-living apartments will be upgraded to assisted living apartments. To meet codes, the building will have an updated emergency call system, new sprinklers and firewalls, and a door alarm security system. Existing office space will be repurposed to create additional apartments. To increase energy-efficiency, some of the windows and doors will be replaced.
Back-up Generator - $250,000
A 250-watt generator will provide full back-up power to the entire URC campus in the event of an electrical outage. (Currently, the campus has only limited back-up power.) With the back-up generator in place, URC can qualify as a specialty-level healthcare facility, allowing us to accept more medically complex residents. URC is also uniquely positioned to serve as a regional alternate care site in case of a weather emergency, homeland security crisis, or other disaster.
Total Project Cost: $6,100,000
Project Benefits
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Park Place Apartments will be expanded and upgraded to an assisted living facility, which will allow current residents to “age in place.”
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The total number of private rooms in the nursing home will increase from 21 to 39.
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Each of the four existing neighborhoods will have its own quieter, more family-like common area, which will provide residents with more intimate living spaces.
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Each neighborhood will have its own kitchenette and dining area, enabling dietary staff to respond to individual needs and requests with greater efficiency and efficacy.
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One neighborhood will be designated as short-term rehabilitation unit, and another neighborhood will be a specialized memory care unit.
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A third spa room will be created, and the rehabilitative area will be enlarged.
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The older rooms will be renovated so that all of the bathrooms will comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
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New lighting will be installed in the original (1959) rooms.
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The original (1959) windows and doors will be replaced with energy-efficient models.
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A new call system at the skilled nursing facility will be more technologically advanced and better suited to the needs of residents.
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A full-power, back-up generator will allow URC to provide uninterrupted care in the event of a power outage and to function as a regional alternate care site/evacuation shelter in the case of a weather disaster or homeland security crisis.
A Message from the Capital Campaign Co-Chairs:
"I have always been interested in helping and serving those that need special care from nursing homes. My relationship with URC began in 1991, when I served on the Board of Directors for six years. I especially admire the staff at URC because they offer such skilled and compassionate care to our elderly as well as to others who can’t care for themselves. The staff is to be commended for managing and maintaining URC like one’s personal home." – Daryl Englund, President of Banner Associates
"Despite living in Brookings for the last 25 years, I had only limited familiarity with United Retirement Center’s facility and mission. It wasn’t until a business associate asked me to become involved with the fund-raising campaign that I began to appreciate URC’s economic impact on the community. With nearly 200 employees and an annual budget of $6 million, it is essential to Brookings that URC remains an industry leader in this highly competitive and expanding field. I hope others who previously have not had URC on their radar will consider placing their financial support behind this project." – Greg Fargen, President of BankStar Financial, Brookings
"I first got involved with URC in 2005 in conjunction with the fund-raising for the Child Development Center. Through that involvement, I learned that under the leadership of Sally Damm, the URC staff is committed to providing the best possible experience for their clients. This project is exciting because by raising only $1.5 million we can make a $6.1 million project happen.We can and should provide better options for the elderly.This is a unique opportunity to improve the quality of life for our elderly.The emergency response provisions that are included in this project, along with the core facility improvements, will make URC a model eldercare facility."
– Jim Morgan, CEO of Daktronics, Inc.
We invite you to partner with those who have already made gifts to the A.L.I.V.E. Campaign.
We are well on our way to reaching our goal, but we need gifts of all sizes to support this project. One generous donor has pledged to match all remaining gifts until we meet our goal of $1.5 million. Click below to use a credit or debit card to make a secure donation online.
Your gift can come in one of many forms – cash, personal property, stock, grain, or real estate. Permanent naming opportunities are available beginning at the $10,000 level – CLICK HERE for more details. This is a wonderful chance to create a legacy for yourself, your spouse or another loved one.
To enable more substantial giving, the URC Foundation welcomes pledges payable over a three- to five-year period. CLICK HERE to download a pledge form.
Please feel free to contact any one of us to discuss ways to facilitate your involvement in supporting this campaign.
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