Vets Home $1 million project
GLADYS SHAY / For the Hungry Horse News
Good news this week is construction of an addition to the 40-bed wing at Montana Veterans Home.
The $1,200,000 project is possible through the state's long range planning program. There are also funds from cigarette tax revenues collected by the state.
Hammerquist Casalegno, Inc., Kalispell, is contractor for the project, which is underway. Target date for completion is end of June, 2010, according to Veterans Home Supt. Ron Balas. The new addition will include a dining room, activities room and five single rooms.
Currently there are 90 residents in the 105 nursing facility including a 15 bed special care unit for advanced dementia and Alzheimer disease patients. A 12-bed domiciliary is for veterans not requiring nursing care.
It is interesting to realize Montana Veterans Home is one of the top employers in the area. Payroll shows 178 employees with 24/7 schedules.
The veterans pharmacy is also located at the Veterans Home.
I appreciated receiving an impressive list of subcontractors from Hammerquist Casalegno, Inc. They are as follows: Site/Concrete, Apex Contracting, Tye Fortuna, Bigfork Landscape, A-l Landscape, Andy Klein, Kalispell Masonry, Nielsen Masonry, Aaron Nielsen, Kalispell Cabinetry, Eagle Group NW, Jeremy Markham, Kalispell Roof-Shingles, Hersey Construction, Lane Hersey, Kalispell Roof-Membrane, Neu-Tech Roofing, Steve Gaikowski, Kalispell Insulation, Lilienthal Insulation, Mark Fopp, Kalispell Drywall, Morse Drywall & Construction, Brandon Morse, Whitefish Paint, Cook Painting, Cheney Cook, Kalispell Resilient Floor/Matt, Whistler Tile & Stone, Jim Abney, Bigfork Tile, C & C Tile, Inc., Rick Coyne, Stevensville Acoustical Ceilings, Cole Acoustics, Jamee Cole, Whitefish Fire Sprinkler, Security Fire Protection, John Gersbach, Helena Plumbing & HVAC, Water Works, Jerry Lyford, Kalispell Electric, Monster Electric, Chris Smith, Kalispell Steel, WMK, Duane Anderson, Billings Prefab Wood Joist, ilevel Trus Joist, Brian Schlauch, Helena Wood Trusses, WBC Building Components, Chad, Columbia Falls Wood Windows/Glazing, Big Mtn. Glass, Scott Gearhart, Whitefish Doors/Hdwr, BMC Millwork, Tyler Corey, Kalispell Toilet Access., Fire Extinguishers, Int. Signs, Kalmont Distributors, Jacki Sverdrup, Kalispell Lockers, Direct Office Solutions, Terry Quinn, North Lake Elmo, Minn., Handicapped Parking Signs, Dupree, Norm Stamper, Billings Restaurant Supply, Advanced Restaurant Display, Justin Freeman, Kalispel'.
A separate project at this time is in conjunction with State of Montana goals for energy saving improvements. Diamond Plumbing and Heating, Kalispell, holds this contract.
It has been 113 years since the Montana Veterans Home started near Columbia Falls. It was initially called the Soldiers Home.
History shows cornerstone laying of the Old Main took place May 30, 1896. The brick building cost $10,350.
Citizens of Columbia Falls contributed $3,000. Northern International Improvement Co. gave $10,000 and donated land.
Home was opened June 18, 1897.
Gladys Shay is a longtime resident and columnist for the Hungry Horse News