JEFFERSON TWP — The Concordia Lutheran Ministries $12-million expansion to its Lund Care center at the Cabot campus is on target to be complete by the end of September.

Keith Frndak, Concordia's president and chief executive officer, said the next step is for a legion of union laborers to descend upon the site for the plumbing, electrical wiring, roofing and bricklaying.

He said about 75 to 100 construction jobs would start up. As is, about 20 workers are involved in the project.

Since August, the new Lund Care facility has been under construction to replace the older facility on Route 356 to increase its rehabilitation services, private rooms, and to offer on-site diagnostic testing.

Frndak said the new center will be one of the few facilities in the state that has entirely private rooms.

"That is what people want and expect," said Frndak. "We've always wanted to get to a situation with full private room service."

The new 129,000 square-foot building will add 220 private rooms, for a total of 350 rooms. This will include 214 assisted living rooms and 136 skilled rehabilitation rooms. There will also be 12 in-patient hospice beds.

The expansion is important for Concordia, which Frndak said wants to remain the "provider of choice" to the area's aging population.

He said since 1990, Concordia has built on 17 acres.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there were more than 35 million Americans older than 65 in 2000. Government projections indicate this number will more than double to 71 million in 2030.

Frndak said he expected more than 40 jobs to be added because of the expansion in patient and rehabilitation services.

He said Concordia employs about 1,300 people through the entire structure. At the Lund Center there are 450 personnel who work there exclusively, and another 450 employees splitting time there and at other locations.

Frndak said the first two floors of the 129,000 square foot facility have been built. He said the structural steel was recently added onto the top third floor and the roof trestles were added this month

"We really haven't had any problems with construction other than the normal problems and delays with winter months," said Frndak.

He said for the first time the new care center will offer diagnostic testing on-site, helped by a contract with Butler Memorial Hospital.

X-ray and lab services will be available, with cardiologists on site. There also will be a dental office.

The new rehabilitation facilities include a 20-by-30 foot swimming pool that has an entrance area that rises to ground level for easy access. It then lowers to normal depth.

"We're one of the few places in the area with something like that," said Frndak.

There also will also be the rehabilitation services offered.

A large, enclosed patio is being added that will serve as a year-round sunroom.

There will be a country kitchen restaurant on each of three floors that will eliminate 90 percent of the tray service to patients, with meals delivered on plates.

Frndak said the project was paid for through a $4 million bond, Concordia's reserves, and a $2.5 fundraising campaign. About $1 million has been raised so far through fundraising, he said.

Operations from Concordia's home care, child care services and the Providence pharmacy will move to the old Route 356 location.

He said the buildings, some of which are from the 1930s that housed those operations, will be torn down.

The demolition will help ensure that Concordia's facilities stay current, said Frndak.

Spokeswoman Shirley Freyer said a grand opening is planned during the church's Octoberfest celebration on Oct. 7.