Pelican Valley Senior Living, a Medicare-certified and CMS five-star rated nursing care community, has announced the start of construction on an $8.4M modernization project that will see updates to its care center and resident rooms, enhanced amenities and reimagined community spaces. In early December, local leaders, residents and project stakeholders joined Pelican Valley staff and Board of Directors for a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the beginning of the two-phase renovation intended to strengthen the future of senior care in the region.
Minnesota’s Nursing Home Moratorium Exceptions process approved the project to provide state funding for safety and care-quality upgrades. The Minnesota Department of Health also blessed the project in 2024, providing the green light to move forward with an overdue overhaul of the facility’s aging spaces.
Board chair Richard Bratlien underscored the importance of the long-planned improvements, commenting, “This investment strengthens our commitment to safety, dignity and quality of life. Pelican Valley has served this community for generations, and these upgrades position us to continue that mission with spaces that reflect modern standards for senior care.”
In partnership with Wold Architects & Engineers, a full-service planning, architecture and engineering firm specializing in healthcare and senior living, phase one will renovate part of the former hospital wing to serve as temporary resident housing during construction. Phase two will rebuild 14 resident rooms with modern, home-like accommodations and expand key community areas, including dining, therapy, chapel and social spaces.
“We aim to design spaces that support high-quality care today and anticipate the needs of tomorrow. Our team was proud to work on the Pelican Rapids High School in 2017, and we’re excited to once again support the community through enhancement of their education and healthcare capabilities,” said Tu-Anh Bui Johnson, senior living practice leader at Wold. “This modernization will provide safer, more efficient environments that enhance daily life for residents and staff. Pelican Valley’s leaders have approached this project with clarity and purpose, and we are proud to bring a setting to life that offers excellent care and feels comfortable, welcoming and supportive.”
The project is a collaborative effort between multiple construction and engineering partners to guide the multi-phase effort, expected to reach completion in early-mid 2027. The philosophy behind the renovations focuses on improving resident comfort, enhancing operational efficiency and maintaining continuity of care throughout the construction process.
