The Blaine County Planning and Zoning Commission gave the green light last week to the proposed Croy Canyon Ranch continuing-care facility.
Blaine County Planning Director Tom Bergin said the April 2 issuance by the P&Z of a conditional-use permit sets the stage for work on the facility. Conditional-use permit applications do not require approval from the Blaine County Commission.
The new facility is planned for a site one mile west of Hailey in Croy Canyon. It is expected to open in 2011, information on the foundation's Web site states.
Croy Canyon Ranch is planned to be built with money from the net proceeds of the sale of Blaine Manor, a care facility for seniors operated by the county, as well as entry fees and private donations.
Just over a year ago, efforts to secure private funding for the senior living facility were helped along with the pledge by Wood River Valley developer Harry Rinker to provide $1 million toward construction of the project. The gift kicked off the foundation's drive to raise $12 million in private funds toward construction of the estimated $29.5 million facility. Rinker was a member of the foundation's original board of directors.
For many years, Blaine County has funded senior care through its subsidization of Blaine Manor on Main Street in Hailey. However, in May 2007, county voters overwhelmingly approved a ballot measure authorizing the county to sell the existing facility and direct the proceeds of the sale to help pay for Croy Canyon Ranch.
For now, the county subsidizes the operation of Blaine Manor to the tune of more than $600,000 annually. But as long as additional donations come in, county taxpayers' responsibility for funding Blaine Manor will eventually be eliminated.
When Croy Canyon Ranch opens, existing Blaine Manor residents will be transferred to the new facility. In its service agreement with the county, the foundation committed to providing 16 Medicaid beds in the skilled nursing portion of the facility.
In addition to the continuing-care portion of the facility, plans for the Croy Canyon Ranch also call for assisted- and independent-living accommodations. In sum, the facility is designed to accommodate about 80 seniors.
According to the private foundation, many local residents 65 years and older have to seek care services outside the valley. The need for continuing-care services has far outpaced the existing 25-bed nursing facility in Hailey and is growing at an alarming rate, the foundation states.
The foundation purchased the 20-acre site for the project in August 2006.
Jason Kauffman: jkauffman@mtexpress.com
