Vote On New Medical Care Facility Name

It’s been nearly a year and a half since construction began at the Houghton County Medical Care Facility and as the new portion is about to go into service, they are asking you to help choose its name.

Construction began in March of last year on the 12,500 square foot addition and is wrapping right on schedule. These renovations mark the completion of the $8.5 million project’s first phase, with more to come next month.

New to the center this week is the third floor dining area that opened Monday, giving residents an open eating schedule rather than tray delivery to their rooms.

“It’s almost restaurant style where people can order eggs to order. They can pick their entree and instead of having it brought up on a tray. That was preordained for what they might have been in the mood for yesterday. Sounded good but now it doesn’t sound good today, so really it’s just about resident rights and choices,” said Executive Director, Kim Salmi.

Rudy Biachi is a resident who says the improvements remind him of his hometown.  “Oh yeah, I love this. It reminds me of Chicago. Up on 21 floors, and they’ve got a restaurant like this,” he said.

Residents are enjoying some social time, and a high rise view of the Portage Canal with a newly added sunroom.

Salmi said, “They are embracing it. And on that floor we have went from 20 percent of our residents eating in the dining room to upwards of 70 to 80 percent of the residents are eating in the dining room. They’re eating better, healthier, and more of their meals. And they’re happy. So people now, instead of spending time in their rooms, they’re now down at the dining towers and visiting with each other. It’s kind of been neat to watch them get to know each other even though they’ve been residents here for a while.”

Resident Uno Isaacson said, “Good food and it’s nice just to sit down and relax and have a cup of coffee.”

With an overwhelming response to the new area, more furniture was brought in to accommodate those who are using it.

Coming in the upcoming weeks will be similar dining areas on lower levels, along with a library, and a coffee shop, and what administrators call a main street concept.

Other areas of the facility that will be opening soon include private rooms and a teaching facility for nurses a with practice station that mimics a resident’s quarters.

Along with a new face comes a new name based on a public vote. The two choices are the Canal View of Houghton County or the Waterway of Houghton County. If you’d like to cast your vote, there is still time. Entries will be counted Friday at 5:00 pm with the most votes choosing the new name.

Ballot boxes are located at Houghton County Medical Care Facility in Hancock, the Daily Mining Gazette in Houghton, and Houghton Community Broadcasting at 313 E. Montezuma Avenue in Houghton.