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About Wallowa County chieftain. (Enterprise, Wallowa County, Or.) 1943-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 16, 2017)
Wallowa County Chieftain News wallowa.com August 16, 2017 A7 New medical facility two years away Residents and politicians attend groundbreaking “OUR GOAL IS 100 PERCENT ACCESS AND ZERO PERCENT DISPARITY.” By Paul Wahl Wallowa County Chieftain Chantay Jett Given the dust that arose when folks walked across the future home of an integrated health clinic in Enterprise during Saturday’s ground- breaking, it’s difficult to image that the parcel of land has a high water table. Yet dealing with that chal- lenge will take roughly the first year of effort to resolve, according to a partnership between Wallowa Valley Cen- ter for Wellness and Winding Waters Medical Clinic. The next step beginning shortly will be excavating the property, formerly owned by Wallowa Memorial Hospital, and allowing it to percolate. Although no part of the design has been finalized because no permits have been pulled, plans call for the build- ing to sit with the nearby mountains as a backdrop. The $7 million, 17,000- square-foot building on 3.2 acres is designed with one major goal. “This new integrated health services building is a commit- ment to a myriad of services under one roof,” said Chantay Jett, executive director of Wal- lowa Valley Center for Well- ness. “Our goal is 100 per- cent access and zero percent disparity.” Dr. Elizabeth Powers, who has been CEO of Winding Waters up until last week, said the facility will be designed as a haven for the community where residents can “come with questions and needs” and find open arms. The plan includes a teach- ing kitchen for Wallowa Memorial Hospital’s Complete Health Improvement Program and space for staff from Build- ing Healthy Families. executive director of Wallowa Valley Center for Wellness Jett said both entities are focused on using the most cost-effective methods possi- ble in the construction process, and using local vendors and tradesmen whenever possible. A general contractor has not been chosen, but Jett said Sat- urday that decision is “close.” Oregon Rep. Greg Baretto and Sen. Bill Hansell were guests for the groundbreaking. The two elected officials will be instrumental in obtain- ing $1.5 million from state lottery funds to help fund the facility. Hansell said both he and Baretto were excited to see that everything was in place for the funding request to move forward. He lauded the coordinators for their vision and for approaching the fund- ing as supplementary, not just an “entitlement.” “You are looking at it as receiving help from the state, to help you to do what’s best for the community,” he told Jett and Powers. “We’re excited about joining your team.” Also on hand for Saturday’s ceremony was Bill Wilson, senior associate for Westby Associates in Vancouver, Wash. His firm, which spe- cializes in helping nonprofits with major projects, will assist in public relations and obtain- ing financing for the medical facility. Wilson was instrumental in bringing a new health clinic to Elgin through a $1.25 million loan from the state. Paul Wahl/Chieftain Groundbreaking for a 17,000-square-foot integrated medical facility was held Saturday across from Wallowa Memorial Hospi- tal. Oregon Sen. Bill Hansell (center) tosses dirt while Chantay Jett, executive director of Wallowa Vlalley Center for Wellness and Dr. Elizabeth Powers of Winding Waters pitch in. Oregon Rep. Greg Baretto is manning the backhoe. Paul Wahl/Chieftain Paul Wahl/Chieftain Chantay Jett, executive director of Wallowa Valley Center for Wellness provides details about the facility her organization and Winding Waters are planning during Saturday’s ground- breaking. A large number of community residents turned out for the event and enjoyed sandwiches and salads for lunch. Wallowa Resources 9th Annual Oregon Rep. Greg Baretto pledged support of Wallowa Coun- ty’s elected officials in Salem in obtaining funding fot the in- tegrated health center planned in Enterprise during ceremo- nies Saturday. He was joined by Oregon Sen. Bill Hansell (left), Chantay Jett, executive director of Wallowa Valley Cen- ter for Wellness and Dr. Elizabeth Powers from Winding Wa- ters. Saturday, August 26 Barn Dance & Auction! No-host bar • Dinner • Auction • Dancing to Live Music All proceeds help Wallowa Resources promote rural development through land stewardship, job creation, sustainable energy, and youth education. Tickets $35, kids $15, available until 8/21 at www.wallowaresources.org and the Bookloft. For more info, call 541-263-0648 14 fabulous AUCTION items, featuring ... • Guided bull & cow elk hunt on the Zumwalt Prairie plus ... Four-day raft trip in Hells Canyon Overnight stay at Minam River Lodge Captain’s Mirror by Tyler Hays 10 more great items! (Most items redeemable in 2018)
