By Jolene Farley
An Aug. 1 completion date for the original eight one-bedroom and four two-bedroom Tuff Village units has not officially changed, but Bonnie Hengeveld, manager of Tuff Village, is awaiting word whether security and fire protection systems will be working by then.
"We need to be assured absolutely everything, as far as security and fire protection, is actually operable," Hengeveld said.
The air conditioning system may also not be complete by that date, also.
"It's gone really well. People have worked together well," said Hengeveld, "although it's never easy."
Because of the overwhelming interest in the facility, an additional six units were added to construction plans. The additional units are scheduled for completion four to six weeks later than the rest of the facility, according to Hengeveld.
Move-in dates have been assigned for future residents. Only a few are scheduled to move at a time "so we can be of assistance to them and help them get settled," she said.
Hengeveld hopes everyone will be settled into their new apartments by Sept. 1.
Tuff Village carries an Assisted Living Home Care Providers License, which requires 24-hour registered nurse supervision, 24-hour supervision of residents, three meals a day plus snacks, socialization programs and transportation.
Tuff Village can be fully staffed by Aug. 1, according to Hengeveld. Mary Lemke is Registered Nurse Program Supervisor for the facility. Licensed caregivers can set up or administer medication as ordered by a physician.
The facility currently has security deposits for 18 of the units and has several people looking at the one remaining unit.
The response exceeded the board's expectations. "We weren't expecting 100-percent occupancy for maybe a couple of years," said Hengeveld. "So needless to say, we are pleased."
Randy Ehlers, director of Rock County Family Services, and Kenneth Hoime, chairman of the Rock County Board of Commissioners, have signed a contract, effective July 17, to provide residents of Tuff Village with financial resources through state programs.
"We have contracted for financial resources if [the residents] run out of resources or if they need resources going in," said Hengeveld. "People need to be assured we will refer them to Rock County Family Services for help."
Hengeveld hopes to host a community open house by the end of September but is unsure if the facility will be ready by then. She wants all the apartments and both the main level and basement community rooms mostly complete before the open house.
Although he cannot stay in the facility until the security and fire systems pass code, Arnold Swanson, Hills, began moving his belongings into his future home Tuesday. When asked what he thought of the new facility he said, "Oh, it's nice, very nice. There is a lot of cupboard space, plenty of room."