On May 22, voters will be given a chance to support the county commissioners' decision to sell Blaine Manor and give the proceeds to the Croy Canyon Ranch Foundation to build a new continuing care retirement community, which will include three levels of care.
The county commissioners are committed to getting out of the healthcare business, and if Blaine Manor closes, seniors needing skilled nursing care will have to obtain it out of our valley. It is imperative to the success of Croy Canyon Ranch that all citizens vote yes in the election. While we have a wonderful resource in the Senior Connection to help seniors stay in their own homes, many seniors choose other living situations for a variety of reasons. Croy Canyon Ranch will give seniors such a choice when it opens its doors in 2010. It will provide 25 independent units, 30 assisted living units and 25 skilled nursing units.
Seniors are the fastest growing segment of the population in Blaine County. Many of our seniors were born and raised in the Wood River Valley and are the keepers of Blaine County's history. With the addition of Croy Canyon Ranch, the community will have another asset for our seniors. Many area families have had to make the choice of placing their parents and grandparents in continuing care communities out of the area. Keeping our seniors in the valley creates easy inter-generational opportunities for families, and gives the option of staying in our valley for those who love it.
We hope when people vote on May 22, they do so with the facts. The Croy Canyon Ranch Foundation, a non-profit, is working very hard to keep this project within the financial norm for continuing care communities in Idaho. When Croy Canyon Ranch opens its doors, all Blaine Manor Residents will move into the new community. Our service agreement with the county states a commitment to provide 16 Medicaid beds for 10 years.
It is the county's desire to get out from under the up to $600,000 annual subsidy to Blaine Manor. This cost to the taxpayers will continue to escalate over time and cause the Commissioners to make hard choices regarding the viability of Blaine Manor. Croy Canyon Ranch Foundation was created at their request in 2001 to help them get out of the healthcare business. We urge you to support their decision by voting yes on May 22.
You are invited to attend informational meetings by calling 720-6999 for place and time of events or you can find more information on our Web site, croycanyonranch.com.
Mary Jo Helmeke
Executive Director
Croy Canyon Ranch Foundation
