Expertise, vision, and commitment to see a project through are what put Wagner, South Dakota into the forefront. The City of Wagner has a lot to celebrate with the open house for the repair and renovation of the Parkview Villa Apartments, and ribbon cuttings for both the Wagner Community Memorial Hospital and Wagner Early Childhood. USDA Rural Development provided funding, measured with community members’ support towards these projects, and made them possible.
For example, Parkview Villa Apartments has been renovated to include six-two bedroom and 25-one bedroom apartments, roofing, siding, plumbing, electrical, flooring, windows, appliances, and handicap accessibility. The project has experienced vacancy in recent years, but with the renovation and upgrades being made, it is anticipated that is will soon be fully occupied. “This project is instrumental in providing quality, safe and affordable housing for the elderly of our community, housing they have earned and deserve. I am extremely proud of our board, they saw a tremendous need and addressed it head on overcoming numerous obstacles,” said Bryan Slaba, President, Parkview Villa Inc.
The Wagner Community Memorial Hospital – Avera (WCMH-A) has served as a general medical and surgical hospital for almost 60 years. The new inpatient wing and hospital remodel will enhance the quality of medical care and services to the Wagner and surrounding areas. The facility utilizes new technologies and features and has been designed for efficient use of space, which will increase the privacy available for patients. “The completion of this final phase of the campus master plan has placed WCMH-A as one of the most advanced rural facilities in the region if not the nation. The only way WCMH-A could enhance and advance the delivery of healthcare in Wagner was to assure that the excellent staff at WCMH-A had the tools (facility, equipment and technology) which matched their capabilities and we did just that,” said Bryan Slaba, Chief Executive Officer of the Wagner Community Memorial Hospital – Avera.
Wagner Early Childhood, Inc. made upgrades to the facility including the purchase of a security system with extra monitors in the daycare rooms; replacement of seven windows and new thresholds for some of the doors with locking mechanisms, and installing new carpet. “The importance of providing a safe environment that nurtures learning and socialization and prepare children a well-rounded foundation for their future as we improve the world one child at a time,” said Pamela Vanderwerf, Director of Wagner Early Childhood, Inc.
Wagner is truly a great example of a community on the “grow”. To find out how USDA Rural Development programs can help your community achieve its goals, click here.
