SHERBURN — Temperance Lake Ridge in Sherburn broke ground Thursday on a $4.18 million project.

Residents of the facility, community members and those involved in the planning were present for the occasion.

While parts of the facility will be remodeled, the main addition includes 14 rooms to the memory care side, doubling its capacity.

The facility underwent a market study about a year ago to confirm planners’ belief that there is more need for memory care housing.

The project is expected to be completed in 9 to 12 months.

The company performing the remodel is Miller Architects & Builders, based in St. Cloud. It did the facility’s first expansion in 2012.

Sherburn Mayor Jeff Ross said the project is the culmination of more than two years worth of meetings and planning by the Temperance Lake Ridge committee.

“The question was, ‘Do we need it?’ We did a couple feasibility studies and yes, we do need it. ‘Is it a benefit?’ Absolutely,” Ross said.

“As the city of Sherburn, we can be very proud of being able to offer this to not only the residents of Sherburn, but also to residents of the surrounding area,” he said.

Ross said studies have shown that the small town of Sherburn is able to support the addition.

Lisa Lange, executive director at Temperance Lake Ridge, shared what will be added at the facility: a living room; dining room; family room; activity room; spa room; wellness center; three fireplace areas; staff break room; and an attached garage where the bus can park and where the ambulance can pull in to pick up tenants.

Lange said a moss wall and interactive bubble columns also will be added.

“However, the most important thing we are adding are the much-needed services for those affected with dementia,” she said. “Although it saddens us that the number of those with dementia greatly grows every day, we are honored to be able to add the additional services to care for those with memory loss.”

She said it is estimated that there are 5.8 million Americans living with dementia.

On display were samples and swatches of the new tile, carpeting and paint colors that will be going into the facility, along with pictures of the new furniture. Several bluepirnts also were available.

Lange thanked all past and present employees at Temperance Lake Ridge for making the facility a success. She also thanked the city of Sherburn for its support.

“We truly live in a great community,” she said.