A North Idaho company recently started work on the first phase of a planned assisted-living facility in Hayden, Idaho, called Wellspring Meadows.


The first phase will include one of four buildings that each will house 15 residents, says Jim Heberer, who will operate the facility with his wife, Dotty, through a company called 3GP Investments LLC, in which they are part owners.


When the entire project is finished, Wellspring Meadows will serve 60 residents and employ about 40 people, he says. The project is expected to cost about $3.5 million.


The need for assisted-living facilities is huge, Heberer says. My wife and I are registered nurses. We have experience operating an assisted-care facility. We owned one (Life Spring Assisted Living) in Post Falls for about eight years before selling it in 2003.


The project is being developed at 9873 Buttercup Lane, a few blocks west of the intersection of U.S. 95 and Dakota Avenue.


The construction timetable for the three additional structures will depend on how quickly the first building reaches full occupancy, Heberer says.


Neely Construction Inc., of Post Falls, is building the first structure, which will resemble a large home. Each of the four buildings will have about 7,000 square feet of floor space, a common dining room, and a large family room.


The first building is expected to open in May, and Wellspring Meadows initially will employ about 10 people, Heberer says.


Wellspring will provide 24-hour care and will be responsible for delivering medications to patients and transporting them for doctors visits. It also will organize exercise programs and recreational activities, says Heberer.


Were going to try and stand out with our care, activities, and programs, he says.


Wellspring plans to specialize in caring for patients who suffer from Alzheimers Disease, and other forms of dementia, Heberer says.


Well be a secure facility, he says. Eventually, one of the buildings will be designated for those patients with Alzheimers and dementia disorders.


3GP Investments is owned by the Heberers, Kurt and Dolly Neely, of Post Falls, who own Neely Construction, and Don and Debbie Douglas, of Spokane, who are investors.