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Community Corner

New therapy suite, kitchen complete at Sunny Hill

     JOLIET – Sunny Hill residents will soon utilize a new buffet and enjoy meals cooked in a renovated kitchen as Phase 3 of a multi-year four-phased renovation comes to a close.

     The renovations were inspected by the Illinois Department of Public Health and approved on Wednesday, Feb. 19.

     Will County Executive Larry Walsh announced the approval during the Thursday, Feb. 20, regular County Board meeting. He complimented the Sunny Hill staff, which has been working in a trailer about one-third the size of the regular kitchen behind the facility and wheeling food into the facility during the renovation.

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     It will take about two weeks to get the new kitchen into operation.

     Walsh was pleased with what he saw during a recent tour of the county-owned facility, saying, “The people who live at Sunny Hill helped make Will County what it is today. I’m happy that we can give them a home to be proud of, and be safe and comfortable in.”  

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     Administrator Karen Sorbero said, “More than 10,000 Will County residents have called Sunny Hill their home since we opened our doors.”

     Renovation efforts began in 2004 as Sunny Hill administration and residents looked at refreshing one of the first resident units built in 1970. 

     After careful consideration by then-County Executive Joseph Mikan, a larger, much-needed renovation of the entire facility was considered by the Will County Board. County Executive Walsh directed the Will County Public Building Commission to begin the larger renovations in 2005. 

     Since then, five of the six resident units and the front lobby have been renovated, a new generator installed, and exterior and roofing repairs have been completed along with the current phase, which also includes a in- and out-patient therapy area, classroom, and activity and nursing suites, as well as some offices.

     The therapy area will offer updated equipment for residents. For the first time, the facility will be able to offer out-patient therapy to the community.

     The Sunshine Room is now the home of the new beauty and barber shop, Sweet Shoppe and new Family Tree mural, which will feature the names of residents and staff.  The tree was created by muralist and artist Louise Kraft of Shorewood.

     Friends of Sunny Hill Have assisted in the renovation efforts by purchasing flat-screen televisions for all resident bedrooms and unit day room areas and renovating two accessible patios. A third, larger project, the courtyard, is scheduled to open in May.

    An open house at which time the public can view the renovations will be scheduled at a later date.

     Sunny Hill Nursing Home of Will County is at 421 Doris Ave. and is under the County Executive’s office. 

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