October 22, 2014 at 3:24 p.m.
Rennes Health and Rehab Center breaks ground on new addition
Rennes Health and Rehab Center breaks ground on new addition
Construction is already underway, with a projected completion date of late March or early April, but the group commemorated the event with a groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday.
"We are adding approximately 10,000 square feet to our existing building, adding 23 additional beds to this facility," said Chuck Hawkins, executive vice president of the Rennes Group.
"We also are expanding our dining room and also expanding our therapy gym."
The facility focuses on short-term rehabilitation care, though it also offers long-term care options. The additional space will allow for more long-term residents.
"We originally opened up in March of 2012 - we identified Rhinelander as the medical hub of northern Wisconsin - and within the last 12-plus months, we've embraced the community and had good success here and identified that there's an additional need for our services in the area," Hawkins said.
"We have roughly 66 or 67 residents here today. Our primary focus is short-term rehab, but with the addition, we are adding more semi-private beds to hopefully bring in more long-term residents. ... We've identified a need for long-term residents in this community."
When the facility was first built, Hawkins said an addition was envisioned for sometime in the future. With the success of the center, and after determining a need for more long-term care, Hawkins said that time is now.
"It was in our master plan. We were hoping to (add beds)," he said.
"We've been real successful and accepted in the community. We're really happy with the progress we made and identified this ongoing need."
Kelsy Bontz, center administrator, echoed those sentiments. She said the ability to serve more people in the area is exciting.
"We've really seen a need in our community. Since we moved to this location, we've really maintained a full house," she said.
"Being able to serve more people is really exciting for us."
Hawkins said the group is just happy to be in Rhinelander.
"We're just excited to be in Rhinelander," he said.
"It's a great community. The surrounding area is real accepting of us, so to speak, and hopefully we're providing excellent service for the area."
Marcus Nesemann may be reached at [email protected].
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