Bethel officials discuss plans for new nursing, rehabilitation facility at Williston Square

WILLISTON, N.D. (KUMV) - Two years ago, it was announced that Bethel planned on building a new nursing facility at the Williston Square Development. Officials provided some details this week during a Williams County Commission meeting.

CEO and Administrator Belinda Moen said the new facility will have 100 skilled nursing beds and 10 basic care beds. The site will also have space for assisted living and rehabilitation.

Moen said a new facility is needed to better care for patients and keep them in the region.

“Our current facility cannot support what a nursing home needs to provide. One of those things is showers. None of our resident rooms currently have showers in them, and now that is a requirement for life safety that all resident rooms have showers. We don’t have that,” said Moen.

Moen added that the cost of renovating the current facility outweighed building a new one. The Bethel Lutheran Nursing and Rehabilitation Center has been operating in Williston for more than 76 years.

Moen said they will soon start a fundraising effort for up to $33 million for the project. She said they are able to bond for up to $30 million.

The design phase is expected to be completed next month, and groundbreaking could be held this coming spring.