FAIRMONT — Lakeview Methodist Health Care Center in Fairmont has plans to build a new nursing home in the near future.

The timeline is an estimated two years, with the capital cost expected to be around $19 million. The plan is to build the new facility in the back parking lot of the campus.

Several years ago, there were plans to embark on a $15 million capital improvement plan, but over the last year many changes took place that caused the board of directors to rethink the project.

“Originally, our plan was to remodel the present nursing home, but because we had so many changes take place, as the board was looking at all of that, they said we’re a whole different entity now than we were a year ago and while remodeling might have been the best option then, it might be best to take a little longer and build a new nursing home now,” explained Lakeview administrator Deb Barnes.

The changes mentioned include the fact that Building Blocks Learning Center moved into Lakeview late last spring, so there are now 85 children who come to Lakeview for daycare.

Another change that took place was when Lutz Wing nursing home suddenly closed last fall. Many people at Lutz Wing came to Lakeview for care.

A final change was that the fundraising specialist Lakeview was using for its last project became ill, putting that project on hold.

“With adding the daycare and adding the Lutz Wing people, we decided we should maybe look at the future differently now and not remodel the nursing home to stay a nursing home,” Barnes said. “Instead we should build a new nursing home and then the building that the present nursing home is in will possibly be remodeled for a different purpose in the future.”

She said several options are being discussed as to what that building would become.

Both the assisted-living and the independent apartments will remain as they are, as well as the chapel.

The nursing home was built 50 years ago and Barnes admitted it is reminiscent of a hospital, as that was the style back then. But the coming generations have different lifestyles and desires for their living space, so they would like to move away from the institutional long hallways and into a more home-like environment.

“With the amount of people turning 65 in Minnesota every year and the aging of this county, there are very few people who won’t have to face some kind of assistance in their senior years,” Barnes said. “As the only place now available for skilled care, we want to be state of the art and be the best we can be.”

Statistics show that 4,137 community members from Fairmont and the surrounding area will be 65 or older by year 2021, and Lakeview campus wants to be able to provide the services necessary to care for the aging population and keep people in the community.

While Barnes realizes this is a big project, she asks that people think about the timeline through the years and how Lakeview has grown.

The nursing home was built 50 years ago. Through the years, the independent apartment building was built, then assisted-living was added, then the chapel, and now Lakeview is home to Building Blocks.

“We can continue to grow to meet the needs of the community,” Barnes said.

Currently, there are 82 people in the nursing home but Lakeview has between 100 to 130 admissions per year. Barnes said Lakeview could increase its license from 82 to 95 in order to house more people.

There also will be a space in the new building for childcare. Right now, 85 children attend Building Blocks but Barnes explained that it is licensed to have more than 100 children. They just do not have the room.

When Lakeview expands, there’s potential for the childcare center to expand too.

“None of this is yet set in stone,” Barnes said. “It depends how well we do in our capital campaign and how generous our community members are in contributing to this cause. We feel like there is great support from the community for Lakeview and there always has been.”

She said that Lakeview is just beginning the capital campaign, so the steering committee will soon go out and make contact with people in the community in the next few weeks.

“They will ask people to think about their connection with Lakeview and the future of Lakeview and its importance to Fairmont, and to donate generously to the new building,” Barnes said.