SIDNEY -- The recently completed Pole Creek Estates opened its doors to the public September 12.

The Open House and Ribbon Cutting offered the opportunity for the community to get a first-hand look at the new design of a long-term care facility.

The facility is located at the west side of Sidney Regional Medical Center with an adjoining hallway.

The Open House started with SRMC CEO Jason Petik welcoming the community.

"We started this project specifically about three years. We started talking with Better Health Services," he said.

The conversations with Better Health Services resulted in trips Broken Bow, and an agreement allowing Sidney Regional Medical Center to use the designs from Broken Bow for the Pole Creek Estates design; saving the hospital on the cost of the project. Pole Creek Estates is about 44,500 square feet. 

"We are so excited for the residents and the community whole. To see this facility and to watch people go through it and watch their reactions ... something that, you know, buildings do just kind of wear out every once in a while. When it's time for a new building, refresh the building and the space, and make it more efficient, more open and more loving for the residents, then we've met the goal and we've met what we're trying to accomplish," Petik said.

Dr. Rebecca Allard, medical director for Pole Creek Estates, said the design is focused on comfort and a home-like atmosphere.

"So the idea is that the new nursing homes are are, we want it to be more like home. So, you're going to see more home-like furnishings, more home-like everything. Once you get into the rooms, you can kind of tell that it's more of a residential facility. The surface should make it feel more like home, or maybe a fancy hotel," Dr. Allard said.

She said the concept of a new long-term care facility started at least 11 years ago; when she arrived at SRMC.

Plans are for residents of the long-term care facility to be moved to Pole Creek Estates September 18.