Larimore to get wellness center

Talk about it

Larimore, N.D., will get a new community wellness center, perhaps as early as next September.

The facility, which will include exercise, cardiovascular and rehabilitation equipment, will be a 1,700-square-foot addition to the Good Samaritan Society nursing home, according to Rita Raffety, Good Sam’s Larimore administrator.

The local community has raised more than $300,000 for the project, meeting its fund-raising goal about three months ahead of schedule, she said.

The initial $110,000 came last spring, from a donation from the estate of Calvin Peterson, a former Good Sam resident.

Community fund-raisers then secured a $100,000 challenge grant from the Engelstad Family Foundation. The remainder of the funding came from donations throughout the area, she said.

Surprise gift

“The reality of this project has been a remarkable journey,” Raffety said. “Calvin’s gift, which was a total surprise, gave us the funds to spur us on to come up with a plan and pursue the vision of a community wellness center in Larimore. After that, things began to fall in place and the support of the community has been tremendous. I cannot express how grateful we are to everyone who has helped to make this dream become a reality.”

The idea grew out of 2010 survey in the community of 1,300, located about 30 miles west of Grand Forks. More than 90 percent of the 248 people who were surveyed in 2010 indicated they would use a wellness center.

The facility will feature multiple types of cardiovascular and rehabilitation equipment to meet the needs of people of different ages and physical abilities, according to Raffety.

The center, which will have key card access, will have a separate outside entrance and will be open from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Larimore’s Good Samaritan facility is licensed for 45 skilled nursing beds, plus 15 assisted-living apartments.

Preliminary estimates indicate the project will cost about $310,000. Raffety said that while the initial $300,000 goal has been reached, the community will continue its fundraising efforts. Any additional money would be used to purchase more equipment.

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