New care facility coming to Pullman

Avalon Health Care Group and KIP Development announced they have entered into an agreement under which a 52,000 square foot senior living community will be constructed adjacent to Pullman Regional Hospital. It will replace the existing Avalon Care Center-Pullman skilled nursing facility located across town.

The 82-bed campus will feature a family style design with three distinct neighborhoods: 48 beds dedicated to skilled nursing, 17 to memory care and 17 assisted living. The new Avalon will also feature restaurant style dining, room service, fully electronic health records and expansive therapy spaces, both indoor and outdoor.

"Building a new Avalon in Pullman is the realization of many years of brainstorming, close collaboration with Pullman Regional Hospital and the support of Kevin Kirkman of KIP Development," said Larry Deans, Avalon president and chief executive officer.

The community will feature a training classroom and spaces for Certified Nursing Assistant classes as well as on-site clinical experience for students at Washington State University, the University of Idaho and Lewis-Clark State College.

KIP Development will construct the community, and Avalon will operate the 4.8 acre campus under a long-term lease. The project is currently in development with expected completion in 2017.