Groundbreaking set for new Park View

Project 'going well,' administrator says
By Krista B. Ledbetter of The Northwestern

If You Go

What: Groundbreaking for new Park View Health Center

When: 2 p.m., Aug. 9

Where: 725 Butler Ave.

Years of planning and months of plan changing have finally led to a groundbreaking for the new Park View Health Center.

Margie Rankin, administrator of Park View, said construction of the new county-owned nursing home is scheduled to start on Aug. 9.

"The project is really going well," Rankin said. "There haven't been any major barriers. We're progressing nicely."

Mike Elder, director of the Winnebago County Facilities and Property Management Department, said no changes have been made to the plans since the Winnebago County Board of Supervisors approved the $23.34 million project in late February.

The board approved the project as a 136,000-square-foot facility with 168 beds, 54 fewer than Park View is now licensed for. The county had been studying options for the current 56-year-old Park View since late 2002.

Elder also said the Park View and facilities and property management committees are in the process of getting bids out for foundation and site work, and another bid
project will go out later in the summer for the remainder of the project.

Rankin said construction of the new nursing home is expected to last about 16 months.

Since the project was approved, a construction fund and a permanent endowment fund have been set up through the Oshkosh Community Foundation, Rankin said.

"People also have an opportunity to make a donation directly to Park View," she said.