A proposal for a new nursing home facility was presented to the Iola Village Board at its Oct. 13 meeting.
Although there are no definite plans for a new facility, Iola Living Assistance Inc. requested the village to grant a variance for a building to be located close to the wastewater treatment plant.
A variance is required for a nursing home to be located within a 500-foot radius of a treatment facility.
The proposed plan calls for the building to be located west and north of Living Oaks on the west side of Iola.
“There has been no decision to do this,” said Greg Loeser, administrator of Iola Living Assistance. “We are just trying to see if we can.”
The board agreed to waive the encroachment for ILA if it expands within the 500-foot radius of the wastewater treatment plant.
According to Loeser, the present nursing home building would then be converted into a CDRF facility.
Loeser reported that ILA has applied for USDA financing for a new building, so they will not need the village to co-sign a loan.
According to the original ILA loan agreement with the village, the corporation was required to make annual debt payments, maintain its facilities, and “be a good neighbor.”
At the end of the revenue bond period, which was August 2014, the actual property would revert back to ILA.
Loeser said the corporation appreciates the village’s help through the past 25-year loan period and they wish to continue working together.
In other business, the board approved using $500 from its contingency fund to construct an ice rink at the village park.
It was agreed that the 40-by-60-foot rink be located in Taylor Field, where it will fit between the mounds.
A member of the public suggested that the village first check with the Iola-Scandinavia School District, which uses the field for baseball games.