Work begins on $10 million renovation of Ottawa County's nursing home

OAK HARBOR -- Construction began recently on a $10 million project to add about 20 assisted living beds to Riverview Healthcare, the nursing home owned by Ottawa County's government.Kendra German, who has served as an administrator at the nursing home for 12 years, said Monday the renovation will add 20 to 21 assisted living units in two wings that are now closed. The facility is next to the Portage River, near the Ottawa County Fairgrounds.Other upgrades also will be carried out at the facility, including putting in a new "town center" area where residents can go to a cafe, a theater, doctor's offices, and other amenities, German said."The whole facility is going to get a facelift," Ottawa County commissioner Jim Sass said.Improvements will be made in much of the building, he said.Construction work began about two weeks ago and will be completed in 20 to 22 months, Sass said.He said commissioners voted 3-0 to issue municipal tax-free bonds to finance the project.The nursing home's last debt was paid off two years ago, which prompted the county to go forward with the new project, Sass said.A marketing firm determined there was a need for 60 assisted living units, but commissioners decided to be conservative and go for a lower number, Sass said.Ottawa County's nursing home has been supported for many years by a levy that brings in about $850,000 a year.A failure of the levy in 2009, however, prompted restructuring moves, including closing the two wings that are now being remodeled for assisted living. Commissioners then put the levy back on the ballot and were able to pass it, Sass said.German said the facility, once certified for 190 people, is now certified for 174, but currently staffs only 121 units. Occupancy runs between 90 and 100 people, German said. When the current work is finished, there will be 117 beds being used, she said.Riverview has about 150 county employees, including full-time workers, part-time employees and contingent workers. There are also therapists who work at the center who are hired under a contract and are not considered county employees, German said.Reach reporter Tom Jackson at jackson@sanduskyregister.com and follow him on Twitter @jacksontom.The campus of Riverview Healthcare in Oak Harbor. Kendra German, the administrator of Riverview Healthcare.