Chatham looks forward to $8 million skilled-nursing center

Chatham officials and health care experts broke ground Thursday on an 85-room skilled-nursing center scheduled to open in the spring.

Chatham Health and Rehabilitation Care Center will open June 1 at 100 Rorer St. in southern Chatham, according to Randy Scott, project manager for Martin Bros. Contractors in Roanoke, which is constructing the building.

The grading for the site began in August, flooring was added in October, the flat roof is now complete and builders were set to begin installing shingles Thursday, Scott said. Total cost of the project is about $8 million.

Joyce Denham, vice president of strategic development for Agemark and Third Street Management in Hickory, N.C., which will manage the center, said it will provide state-of-the-art care and deliver economic benefits to Chatham.

“This facility is going to impact this community greatly,” Denham said, adding that the center will employ about 100 people.

Allen Osborne, executive vice president of Agemark, said he anticipates a good working relationship with the town.

“We are looking forward to becoming active and contributing members of this community,” he said during the ceremony.

Chatham Mayor George Haley said the project was a combined effort, which included assistance from Chatham First, a nonprofit organization that works to improve the town’s quality of life.

“It would be physically, verbally impossible to thank the hundreds of people (who helped bring the project to Chatham),” Haley said. “This was a real combination of team effort.”

Denham said the center may need to seek professionals from outside the community for administration, but hopes to hire as many local professionals as possible in other positions.

Roanoke-based Smith/Packett provided engineering and design for the project and hired Martin Bros. to build the health and rehabilitation center. Smith/Packett owns the property and the building and will lease the center to Agemark.