Friday, October 12, 2007

Care facility needs push


The Wood River Valley once was a bare-bones winter ski resort, offering little more than a spectacular ski mountain and seasonal resort amenities. However, the area has shaped up as a complete, year-round community with a first-rate hospital, tourism attractions and events, major arts and culture activities, conference facilities and talk of a college campus in the valley at some point in the future.

One unfulfilled major goal is a senior care facility where elders may retire and receive part-time or full-time assistance.

The Croy Canyon Ranch Foundation is struggling to fulfill that dream. It purchased a desirable 20-acre plot of land just west of downtown Hailey. It gained voter approval for Blaine County to sell the existing Blaine Manor facility and use proceeds toward a new project, while also relieving the county of $600,000 in yearly support for Blaine Manor.

The hitch, however, is full funding of some $29.5 million.

Tax laws and state law impair the foundation from using investors or public funds. Therefore, outright philanthropy is what the foundation is seeking.

It would be a blow to the valley's quality if life if the first phase of this facility—25 skilled nursing beds, 25 independent living apartments and 30 assisted living apartments—weren't completed.

The facility would allow retired seniors to remain close to valley families as well as attract seniors who require full-time assisted living.

Needed now is the same can-do spirit of generosity that ignited community giving to underwrite building of St. Luke's Wood River Medical Center, the YMCA plus so many of the area's arts programs.




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