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Serving Northern St. Louis County, Minnesota

Public gets first look at Care Center renovations

Melissa Roach
Posted 10/18/17

COOK-The public was invited to tour the newly completed addition to the Cook Care Center this past week. Phase one of the new 17,000-square-foot facility brings much needed additional space for the …

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Public gets first look at Care Center renovations

Posted

COOK-The public was invited to tour the newly completed addition to the Cook Care Center this past week. Phase one of the new 17,000-square-foot facility brings much needed additional space for the care center and significantly updates resident accommodations.

Board of Trustees Vice-Chair Liz Dahl stated, “It was time to modernize and expand for the benefit of the community. This new facility also brings a lot more privacy and comfort for the residents.” The current care center is over 50-years-old and has 14 shared rooms, with many activities and offices located in the basement.

“This facility shows our commitment to the community,” said CEO and Hospital Administrator Teresa Debevec. The new modern care facility will accommodate residents with private rooms that will be more family friendly. Each room will have a lift station and private bathroom. There are expanded open visiting and activity areas, including a family dining room that can be reserved by families for gatherings. Cooking and baking activities are now being planned with the new addition of two smaller kitchens.

The residents are expected to move to the new care center within the next couple of weeks. Once the residents are moved in, phase two of the construction process will begin with plans for renovating the existing care center into space for Adult Day Services, as well as office and storage spaces that are presently located in the basement of the old care center. The $9 million project was a joint effort of financial support from the IRRRB, W.C. Heiam Medical Foundation, Cook Area Healthcare Auxiliary, and American Bank.

DSGW Architect Ryan Turner credited the Hospital Board for their vision. “The board understood the need. They went above and beyond the requirements and saw the importance of this center. It’s about the residents and the community.” City Administrator Theresa Martinson stated, “Once again, we have another reason to be so proud of our community.”