Bethesda launches final phase of redesign in Willmar

April 02--WILLMAR -- Construction is underway on a new town center and chapel, the last phase in a multimillion-dollar expansion of the Bethesda Grand campus.

New wings that house skilled care and short-term rehabilitation were completed almost two years ago. Now a separate fundraising campaign is underway for the town center, the final piece in a transformation of Bethesda into a place where young and old can meet, mingle and connect.

John A. Martin of MGI Fund Raising Consulting Inc., who has been working with Bethesda throughout the expansion project, called the town center "the heart" of the newly reimagined campus.

"It was part of the vision from the beginning," he said.

The entire $3.3 million budget is coming from private donations, which makes it unique, he said. "The philanthropic dollars will drive the completion of this final phase."

The project includes a chapel with seating for up to 200 and a reflection garden, a cafe, gift shop, children's play area, family gathering spaces and more. Patios will invite people outdoors and onto a walking trail. All of the space is a renovation of existing space.

Completion will take 12 to 18 months, with the first stage -- the cafe, gift shop and intergenerational space -- to be finished by early summer. The chapel renovation will follow.

By the time construction ends, Bethesda will have invested $24 million in expanding its campus into a community that integrates a spectrum of services for older adults, from wellness to assisted living to long-term care.

The goal is to break down barriers and misconceptions about aging and nursing homes and make Bethesda a place that people want to visit, said Stefanie Ryan, development director with the Bethesda Foundation. "We want people to come more often and stay longer. We want them to have destinations to go to."

The new space also will help promote human connections and a sense of purpose for residents of Bethesda and reduce isolation, she said, noting that it's difficult for many aging residents to get out into the community.

"We want to be able to bring that to them," she said.

The fundraising campaign is two-thirds of the way toward its goal and is working on securing the final $1 million needed to complete the project.

The effort is receiving a major boost with the recent announcement of a $350,000 challenge grant sponsored by six local families who have asked to remain anonymous. The grant means that all new pledges or contributions to Bethesda between now and June 30 will be matched dollar for dollar up to $350,000.

A "100 Women With Caring Hearts" campaign also was recently launched, aimed at enlisting the financial support of 100 women from the area. Gifts from this campaign will be counted toward the challenge grant, Ryan said.

With the completion of a wellness center followed by the new skilled care and rehab wings, there's been a warm community response to the new face of Bethesda, she said. "I've heard a lot of positive feedback."

Martin said he sees the campus becoming integrated into the life of the community.

"It's alive. There's activity. People are talking about the quality of staff, the level of care, the investment Bethesda is making in the community," he said.

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