Work continues on the $12.5 million Lund Care Center on the Concordia Lutheran Ministries' campus in Cabot. The center, expected to be completed in late September, will have 350 private rooms, including 136 skilled rooms. Other features available are two courtyards, several outdoor patios, a sunroom off the dining room in skilled care, an outdoor fishing dock, more than a mile of paved walking trails and golf carts.

WINFIELD TWP — Late September continues to be the expected completion date of Concordia Lutheran Ministries' Lund Care Center, a $12.5 million expansion on the Cabot campus.

"This is the beginning of a new era where we have broken the industry mold with a full complement of private rooms," said President and CEO Keith E. Frndak in a company news release.

"Concordia is constantly striving to stay ahead of the wave of aging services and shrinking government reimbursement. It's very simple. People prefer private rooms. "

When the expansion is done, the Lund Care Center will have 350 private rooms, including 136 skilled rooms. In addition, the rehabilitation facility or gym space will double in size and include outpatient rehabilitation with an aquatic therapy pool, according to the news release.

Patients will be served restaurant style at their table, eliminating 90 percent of tray service. Other features available are two courtyards, several outdoor patios, a sunroom off the dining room in skilled care, an outdoor fishing dock, more than a mile of paved walking trails and golf carts.

The first inpatient hospice unit in Butler County, accommodating 10 residents, will be part of the Lund expansion through Concordia's partnership with Good Samaritan Hospice.

Specialty physician offices, dentist, lab and x-rays also will be open to residents and the public.

"This building is designed to be up to date for the next 20 to 30 years, the anchor of the Concordia system," said Frndak in the news release. "Furnishings will cost between about $700,000 for a total of $12.5 million when complete."

Mirrors in the resident rooms will be modified so they can be better used by residents. Bathroom cabinets and windowsills will be lowered. Extra windows will be added to the hallways to bring in more natural light.

A four-seasons room on the skilled floor will provide the view of the lake. A care conference room furnished in a living room style will be available for families. Residents and staff can bake in the country kitchens.

The bathing areas will have more of a spa look rather than a "tub room" and include whirlpool tubs with ultraviolet disinfectant.

Vice president for assisted living, Brian Hortert, said the expansion's 93 assisted living rooms will give Concordia a total of 420 assisted living beds system-wide, including facilities in Plum, Butler and Allison Park. Space for the adult day services will be doubled, which will allow for expansion to evening and weekend hours.

Paul Brand, treasurer and CFO, said the project is being financed through a bond issue and a capital campaign, with nearly $1 million in gifts to date in the capital campaign. Concordia's employees are donating sick, vacation and personal days toward the campaign, according to the news release.

Concordia is sponsoring several fundraising events. Its first fashion show will be May 20 at Butler Country Club, and its third annual golf outing is set for July 30 at Deer Run Golf Club.

For information about these events, call 724-352-1571, Ext. 266.