Fast forward to the future: With expansion, Sacred Heart Care Center commits to its future
May 13—Sacred Heart Care Center employees and residents alike were all smiles on Tuesday morning as ground was broken on a commitment to the future of the skilled nursing facility.
The project, which has been in the works for the last few years, is now officially underway and the optimism is high for a 59-bed facility that is in need of some updating and improving.
"It's very exciting," said Sacred Heart administrator Laura Borris. "We're a 1960s building, so to be able to upgrade the technology and remodel the space is huge for the staff and the community. It'll allow us to fast forward and be here for the next 70 years."
The project will be funded by the Dugan — Scallon Memorial Fund and it will allow residents to have a much more fulfilling day to day experience.
According to Borris, the fund was gifted to the project in order to focus on resident quality of life and rehabilitation. The fund itself is rooted in the Catholic faith.
The estimated $12 million project includes several building expansions for skilled nursing, adult daycare, and chapel spaces, as well as the renovation of 20,000 square feet of existing space and improvements to two acres of the site.
The project is also expected to enhance the activity and social spaces for residents and families.
Construction will begin this month still with expected completion in fall of 2026.
"We'll be able to quadruple our physical therapy space and we'll be able to add a wing for private residence," Borris said. "It's been a huge push for this. When you're in need of care services, you're not wanting to share a room or a bathroom. Having space for families to be in the space of their loved one without another person was huge."
Sacred Heart Care Center is located at 1200 12th St SW, Austin, MN and it has been open since 1964.
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