In a Dec. 12 meeting before the Blaine County Commission, many citizens came out to support the Croy Canyon Ranch Foundation's efforts to build a continuing care facility providing seniors in the valley with a choice of independent, assisted or skilled nursing as their circumstances dictate and to replace the aging Blaine Manor facility.
During this meeting we asked the commissioners to make a financial commitment over the next 30 months to carry the project forward to the construction phase. The funds that we requested would be an advance against the monies raised from the future sale of Blaine Manor. In this day and age, shared visions and partnerships implementing those visions are necessary to achieve goals, and we are very appreciative of the commissioners' willingness to work with us on seeing that this community asset becomes a reality.
The commissioners were able to hear the testimony of individuals who have had to find alternative health care for their loved ones since Blaine Manor was at capacity when more care was needed for them than they could provide at home. Many retired people moving into our valley hope to have a home-like facility to move into when they make the decision to move out of their homes. The families of the residents of Blaine Manor hope to have a facility that reflects the changes in eldercare philosophy—living environments that are rich in meaning, vitality and joy.
Croy Canyon Ranch Continuing Care Facility will encompass a design that is sustainable and reflects the desires of the valley's residents for a home-like environment in which they can spend their retirement years if they choose not to live in their own home. Croy Canyon Ranch Foundation has purchased 20 acres out Croy Canyon on which to build the new facility. A development study is presently underway by Greystone Communities, and William McDonough & Partners is working on the conceptual sustainable design.
The groundwork has been laid "To plan, finance, build, direct, staff, and endow Croy Canyon Ranch, thus providing excellent, attractive, dignified, eldercare for the people of the Wood River Region, where all of us—regardless of our ability to pay—can happily receive the medical assistance we need, without leaving the valley we love."
The county commissioners have called for a special meeting on Jan. 4, 2007, and we encourage all interested citizens to participate in the discussions regarding this project.
Mary Jo Helmeke
Croy Canyon Ranch Foundation
Hailey
