Thursday, 06 September 2012 08:56

A groundbreaking ceremony was held Aug. 10 for the Skilled Nursing Expansion at Cornerstone Ridge Plaza.
The 80-bed skilled nursing unit, located at 3636 N. Ridge Road in west Wichita, will consist of all private beds in four 20-unit neighborhoods. It will add to the community’s continuum of care which presently has 60 assisted living units.
Wichita mayor Carl Brewer, City Councilman Jeff Longwell, Bishop Michael Jackels, and Monsignor Robert Hemberger, Father Dan Spexarth, pastor of St. Catherine of Siena Church, and Mark Kuhn, board chair of Via Christi Villages were among the dignitaries present.
“The work we are beginning today,” said Bishop Jackels, “should enliven our faith and make us grateful. We know the familiar words of the Psalm: If the Lord does not build a house, in vain do its builders labor. Whenever we look to the interests of our neighbor or the community and serve them, we are, in a sense, God’s co-workers.”
Simpson Construction Services is the contractor. Construction on the 72,000 square foot facility started in June and is scheduled to be complete in October 2013. The expansion will occupy 6.5 acres of an available 15 acres of land owned by Via Christi. Once completed, it will create 115 new jobs.
“We know that there is a demand for such a facility in the west part of Wichita,” said Jerry Carley, president and CEO, Via Christi Villages. “There are not many skilled nursing beds in that part of town.”
Located at 3636 N. Ridge Road, Cornerstone Ridge Plaza will assume the new name of Via Christi Village once the new addition is complete.