St. Luke’s considers expanding
Parkview Care Center in Wells is for sale and St. Luke’s Lutheran Care Center officials in Blue Earth may be interested in buying the long-term care facility.
St. Luke’s Administrator Gene Nelson says talks to purchase the Wells nursing home have been in the works for the past month.
He says the care center became interested in the 61-bed facility after hearing another potential buyer’s efforts fell through.
“It’s in our community of interest. It seems like it might be a good fit,” says Nelson.
St. Luke’s board of directors have been notified regarding the possible purchase of Parkview.
“It’s no secret it’s for sale. I told the board because I wanted to see what they thought,” Nelson says.
In addition to expanding its market to the eastern part of the county, Nelson says St. Luke’s is interested in acquiring a facility that has a good reputation.
Parkview is part of the Albert Lea Medical Center, which is owned by Mayo Health System.
Nelson says accountants are analyzing financial data to determine if it’s economically feasible to buy Parkview.
“We’re not going to buy something just to buy it. At this point I would say it’s a 50-50 probability,” Nelson says. “We need to take due diligence financially. That’s what we are doing right now.”
A website for Parkview states the facility offers temporary and long-term care and physical, occupational, speech and respiratory therapy. Also, Albert Lea Medical Center provides outreach services that include podiatry, social services, psychological care, specialized diets and hospice and respite care.