Bethesda, a non-profit organization committed to serving the aging needs of its rural region, has announced the launch of the final phase of its Willmar-based skilled nursing facility redevelopment project. The $3.5 million investment demonstrates Bethesda’s continuous commitment to providing long-term care services and support to the community.
The groundbreaking ceremony, which took place at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 3, invited residents, staff, and the community to celebrate the beginning of the final phase of the vision that began in 2016. The project aimed to redevelop the organization’s primary location in Willmar into a comprehensive campus designed to serve the community’s aging needs.
“As we’ve learned throughout Bethesda’s 126-year history, the foresight with the Lord’s blessing has enabled Bethesda to grow into what it is today,” said Roger Ahrenholz, board chair for the Bethesda board of directors. “Throughout this journey, we have celebrated the merger of Heritage Center and Pleasant View into the setting we now know as Bethesda Grand and Club Suites. Together we have also witnessed the transformation of life at Bethesda through the construction of the Town Center with the introduction of the café and the chapel space. Through the pandemic, the leadership team kept moving forward with the vision as they completed enhancements to the West and Memory Care neighborhoods. Today, we celebrate the beginning to complete the renovation and addition of the East neighborhoods. As we break ground here today, we are taking another step towards creating additional opportunities for Bethesda residents, their families, Bethesda staff, and the community to fully experience a life full of top-quality care and meaningful connections with each other, family, friends, and staff.”
“This day marks a momentous occasion as we gather to celebrate the groundbreaking of our third phase of the redevelopment and expansion of Bethesda Grand. It is an exciting time for all of us as we are taking a significant step forward in our commitment to offering the best living and service options for our community and continuing to make a positive difference in the lives of our friends, our families, and our neighbors” said Michelle Haefner, chief executive officer at Bethesda. “Bethesda is a very special place for so many people. We have been here, and we will continue to be here.”
The final phase of the comprehensive campus plan involves redesigning and renovating the existing care center’s east neighborhood and constructing 15 private suites along Willmar Avenue. Construction will begin following the groundbreaking ceremony. The Investing in a Healthy Future project began in 2016 with the consolidation of Bethesda’s previous two care center settings, Pleasant View and Heritage Center. The redevelopment of Bethesda’s Town Center introduced a new chapel and café in 2019, and the renovation of its west and memory care neighborhoods was completed in 2021.
“At a time that many Minnesota skilled nursing facilities are either closing, selling, or scaling back their operations due to the turbulent fiscal landscape for care centers, our board of directors sees the urgent need to support a future of robust care options in our community,” added Haefner.
Bethesda’s commitment to investing in the health and wellness of its community is evident in its comprehensive campus design, which integrates purposeful and enriching experiences, individualized living options, health and wellness services, and modern amenities into the daily lives of its residents and team. The completion of the final phase of the project will further elevate the standard of care provided by Bethesda.