Chateau Girardeau celebrates completion of $6 million addition, renovations

Less than a year after work began, Chateau Girardeau has a new look and feel, along with additional rooms and expanded services.

The Chateau is celebrating the completion of its $6 million addition and renovation all week, culminating with a public open house Sunday.

The 16,000-square-foot addition to the Chateau's health center, known as The Gardens, houses its "Rehab Therapy to Home" program for short-term patients who receive therapy after surgery.

Sixteen private rooms were added as part of the new rehab facility for a total of 75 rooms at the health center. All of the rooms in The Gardens were also updated with new paint, flooring, curtains and furniture. Current patients were temporarily relocated within the facility while renovations were underway.

With the renovation and the conversion of some double rooms into private rooms, there are now 25 private rooms, where before there were only two.

"This building expansion and renovation project allows us to offer more private rooms in The Gardens and transform our community as we adapt and transform our programs and services to meet the needs of our current residents," said Lynn Spriggs, the Chateau's administrator and CEO. "At the same time we're preparing the Chateau strategically to meet the needs of our fastest growing senior demographics."

The project also included upgrades to the Chateau's independent living areas, including its main lobby, event rooms and administrative offices.

A new landscaped fountain and patio area were also installed inside the front entrance of the Chateau, just off the lobby.

Including its health center and independent living residents, the Chateau community includes about 240 people, Spriggs said.

'It's really upscale'

Residents and their families, who took part in a reception celebrating the opening of the new and renovated facilities Wednesday afternoon, are pleased with the improvements.

"Appearancewise, it's really upscale," said John Moore, whose grandmother has been a resident at the Chateau for seven years.

Bette Bell, who sat in the refurbished lobby Wednesday, said she likes the spaciousness of the renovated areas. A portion of the lobby floor is now hardwood to double as a dance floor when local bands come to perform, something Carol Blue said she particularly enjoys.

Blue has lived at the Chateau since 1997 and said she's seen many improvements during that time.

"There have been several changes, and it gets better with each one," she said.

Sina Kaiser, who has lived at the Chateau for 13 years, said she liked the decor of the renovated areas.

"The building is beautiful, and the furniture is beautiful," she said.

The Chateau sits on about 40 acres offering independent living, assisted living and skilled nursing care.

It was originally developed by the First Presbyterian Church of Cape Girardeau but is now owned by Cape Retirement Community Inc., a local not-for-profit, nondenominational corporation. It is governed by a board of directors made up of local business people, community residents and Chateau residents.

The open house, with tours of the new upgraded facilities, will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday.

mmiller@semissourian.com

388-3646

Pertinent address:

3120 Independence St., Cape Girardeau, MO